Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Fig. 9.3
Diversity of mammalian mating systems, illustrated by ungulates. (a) The dik-dik
Madoqua kirki
is
monogamous: a male defends one female, probably because female ranges are too large for a male to defend
more than one mate. Courtesy Oxford Scientific Films. Photo by Zig Leszczynski. (b) Male impala
Aepyceros
melampus
defend herds of females temporarily during oestrus. Here a male is preventing a group of three
females from leaving his territory. Courtesy Peter Jarman, photo by Martha Jarman. (c) Male Uganda kob
Kobus
kob thomasi
defend tiny territories (15-30 m diameter) on leks and display to attract females. The male in the
centre of the photo is mating with a female who has visited his territory. Photo by James Deutsch. (d) In the
buffalo
Syncerus caffer
, several males associate with a large group of females and compete for matings in the
multimale group. Courtesy Oxford Scientific Films. Photo by G.I. Barnard.
felids, which have smaller litters. Marmosets, which have male parental care, produce twins
whereas most monkeys produce only single offspring. If a male marmoset dies then the
female often deserts the young so male assistance with parental care seems to be important.
In mammals,
different mating
systems arise
from variation in
female home
range, group size
and movements
Females solitary: range not defensible by male
Where females wander more widely, then males may rove over wide ranges, associating
with females temporarily while they are in oestrus. This occurs in moose,
Alces alces
and
orang-utans,
Pongo pygmaeus
; in the latter species the females move over large ranges
following the fruiting seasons of different species of plants (Mackinnon, 1974).
