Competition and mate choice in primates | Competition et choix du partenaire sexuel chez les primates
2000
Huynen, M.C. (Universite de Liege (Belgium). Institut de Zoologie. Service d'ethologie et de psychologie animale)
Sexual selection theory suggests that variation in individual reproductive success results from mechanisms of competition and choice of the sexual partner. Male competition involves risks from fights and mobility in order to find female partners. Primate male sexual activity seems sometimes related to hierarchical rank, but this does not necessarily represent an increased reproductive success. Dominance might be one tactic among others, leading to increased reproductive success in given conditions. Males also form occasional coalitions granting them access to sexual partners despite a low hierarchical status. Male competitive tactics vary depending on age, social rank, and various demographic variables. The choice of a specific strategy and its efficiency are influenced by female preferences. Primate females can choose their mates either directly, by initiating or rejecting copulation, or indirectly, by accepting or rejecting a male into their social group, or by joining themselves a group rather than another. Criteria females use to choose their mate are unknown, but evidences suggest that their choice is related to increased protection against other males' aggressive behaviour and potential infanticide, as well as to inbreeding avoidance. Female competition for mates and male choice of female partners are also present in primates, both sexes competing at relative rates for qualitative as well as for quantitative aspects. Finally, observation of stable preferences between individuals, even in polygamous species, underlines the value of studying long-term relationships in primates.
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