Abstract
FOLLOWING a copulation, males in many species of vertebrates (particularly birds)1–4 and invertebrates5,6 remain near the inseminated female and repel other suitors with displays or force. Guarding males must delay resumption of competitive mate searching7, but they may insure their paternity by reducing possibilities for secondary matings and sperm competition8,9. Among mammals, post-copulatory mate guarding has been reported in rodents10–12, mongooses13, ungulates14,15 and primates16,17, including humans18, but the effects of such behaviour on male reproductive success have not been determined genetically. I report here that mate guarding by male Idaho ground squirrels (Spermophilus brunneus) enhances a male's probability of paternity. Furthermore, an analysis based on game theory shows that mate guarding is an evolutionarily stable strategy for male S. brunneus, but not male Belding's ground squirrels (S. beldingi), which resume searching once copulation is completed.
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Sherman, P. Mate guarding as paternity insurance in Idaho ground squirrels. Nature 338, 418–420 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/338418a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/338418a0
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