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Experimental manipulation suggests effect of polyandry but not mate familiarity on within-pair aggression in the social skink, Liopholis whitii
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 03:29 authored by Thomas Botterill-James, Sillince, J, Uller, T, Chapple, DG, Gardner, MG, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra, Geoffrey WhileGeoffrey WhileLong-term monogamy is a key characteristic of family living across animals. The evolutionary maintenance of long-term monogamy has been suggested to be facilitated by increased reproductive coordination as a result of mate familiarity, leading to increased reproductive success. However, such effects can be compromised if females mate outside the pair bond (e.g. female polyandry), introducing conflicts of interest between the male and female. Here, we experimentally test the effects of both mate familiarity and female polyandry on agonistic behaviour and reproduction in a family living lizard, Liopholis whitii. We found that mate familiarity did not decrease the level of aggression between pairs whereas reducing female polyandry did. However, we did not find an effect of either mate familiarity or female polyandry on female reproductive output. These results suggest that male behavioural responses to female polyandry may influence pair stability in Liopholis whitii, providing support for the growing appreciation of the multiple ways in which female polyandry can influence the stability of family living.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Behavioral Ecology and SociobiologyVolume
71Article number
71Number
71Pagination
1-7ISSN
0340-5443Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Springer-VerlagPlace of publication
175 Fifth Ave, New York, USA, Ny, 10010Rights statement
Copyright 2017 Springer-Verlag Berlin HeidelbergRepository Status
- Restricted