First experimental evidence for female mate choice in a nocturnal primate

Primates; Journal of Primatology
Mathias CraulUte Radespiel

Abstract

Female mate choice can be hypothesised in most nocturnal primates, since females show a higher investment in their offspring than males. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate if female grey mouse lemurs perform mate choice and whether age, relatedness (to the male), or male advertisement call activity systematically influence their decisions. A two-way mate choice design was developed in which females could choose between two males. Mate choice was deduced from the time spent in proximity to the males and from mating behaviour. During oestrus 12 of 17 females participated actively in the experiment and all of them showed either a significant spatial (n = 11) or behavioural (n = 1) preference for one male. In four cases copulations were observed. The influence of age on female mate choice was not statistically significant. In the cases with copulations, however, females mostly preferred the older male. This might indicate a preference for older age as an indicator of experience, fitness, and/or status. The influence of relatedness on female mate choice could not be definitely clarified. However, results imply a mechanism of kin recognition on the basis of familiarity. In the majority of choices, females preferred...Continue Reading

References

May 1, 1997·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·M D Jennions, M Petrie
Aug 24, 1999·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·S C Alberts
May 16, 2000·American Journal of Primatology·U Radespiel
Jul 27, 2001·American Journal of Primatology·U Radespiel, E Zimmermann
Sep 12, 2003·Nature·Jason C BuchanJeanne Altmann
Nov 8, 2003·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·Marjorie AndrèsMartine Perret
Feb 14, 2007·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Barthel SchmeltingUte Radespiel

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Citations

Jun 7, 2007·Biology Letters·Benjamin D CharltonKaren McComb
Apr 12, 2011·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Lisette M C LeliveldElke Zimmermann
Dec 7, 2005·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Solofonirina RasoloharijaonaElke Zimmermann
Jul 28, 2015·American Journal of Primatology·Sarah HohenbrinkUte Radespiel
Jan 4, 2012·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Doris GomezMartine Perret
Feb 26, 2015·PloS One·Alban LemassonMartine Hausberger
Mar 7, 2018·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Thomas A TerlephU H Reichard
Feb 25, 2020·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·John J Wiens, E Tuschhoff
Mar 15, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Benjamin D Charlton
May 5, 2021·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Raïssa A de BoerJohn L Fitzpatrick

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