High Costs of Female Choice in a Lekking Lizard
Author Information
Author(s): Maren N. Vitousek, Mark A. Mitchell, Anthony J. Woakes, Michael D. Niemack, Martin Wikelski
Primary Institution: Princeton University
Hypothesis
The energetic cost of female choice in lek-mating species has not been directly assessed.
Conclusion
Female marine iguanas incur significant energetic costs from mate choice, which can affect their survival and reproductive success.
Supporting Evidence
- Receptive females spent an average of 78.9 kJ on mate choice over 30 days.
- Females that spent more time with high-quality males lost more mass.
- Choosy females may face reduced survival probabilities during El Niño conditions.
Takeaway
Female iguanas spend a lot of energy choosing their mates, which can make it harder for them to survive.
Methodology
The study used heart rate biologging to measure the energetic expenditure of female marine iguanas during mate choice over a 30-day period.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the inability to manipulate mate choice in free-roaming iguanas.
Limitations
The correlational design does not allow for causal conclusions, and controlled experiments were not feasible due to the nature of the species.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 23 female Galápagos marine iguanas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.051
Statistical Significance
p=0.051
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website