Variation in male mating behaviour within ungulate populations: patterns and processes

摘要

Intraspecific variation in male mating behaviour is widespread in ungulates. Such variation is particularly dramatic when it takes distinct forms, and these discrete behavioural patterns are called alternative tactics. Alternative male mating tactics in ungulates include female-defence, resource-defence, and lekking. I review patterns and processes in variation in male mating tactics within (as separate from between) ungulate populations. Across ungulates, the greatest diversity of mating tactics is typically shown by lekking populations. Males rarely show irreversible patterns, but often switch between two or more mating tactics. Overall, variation in mating tactics is most likely maintained as a conditional strategy influenced by multiple internal factors (especially age, health, body size) and external factors (particularly density at small, local scales). Much work remains to be done on the costs and benefits associated with different tactics, proximate mechanisms, the role of frequency-dependent selection, and the evolution of female mating behaviour.