scholarly journals Female red deer prefer the roars of larger males

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D Charlton ◽  
David Reby ◽  
Karen McComb
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Acoustic Cues ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Choice Context ◽  
Female Mating Preferences

Surprisingly little is known about the role of acoustic cues in mammal female mate choice. Here, we examine the response of female red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) to male roars in which an acoustic cue to body size, the formants, has been re-scaled to simulate different size callers. Our results show that oestrous red deer hinds prefer roars simulating larger callers and constitute the first evidence that female mammals use an acoustic cue to body size in a mate choice context. We go on to suggest that sexual selection through female mating preferences may have provided an additional selection pressure along with male–male competition for broadcasting size-related information in red deer and other mammals.

scholarly journals Ultraviolet signals fighting ability in a lizard

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Stapley ◽  
Martin J Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Fighting Ability ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Contest Outcome ◽  
Rival Assessment ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Male Contests

Ultraviolet (UV) signals are used in female mate choice in numerous taxa; however, the role of UV signals in male contests remains relatively unexplored. We experimentally reduced throat UV of free-ranging lizards ( Platysaurus broadleyi ) to test whether UV acts as a signal of fighting ability during male contests. We found that UV-reduced males were more likely to be challenged than control males. However, contest outcome was not influenced by UV-reduction, and this was despite other obvious asymmetries between opponents, such as body size and residency. Throat UV was confirmed as a signal of fighting ability because contests were more likely to escalate when one contestant had reduced UV. Therefore, throat UV, not body size or residency, was used during the initial stage of opponent assessment, but this did not influence contest outcome. The results suggest that UV overrides other traits that could function as signals during rival assessment.

Role of ovarian failure in reproductive senescence in aged red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fisher ◽  
B. McLeod ◽  
D. Heath ◽  
S Lun ◽  
P. Hurst
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Ovarian Failure ◽  
Reproductive Senescence

Production of interferon by red deer (Cervus elaphus) conceptuses and the effects of roIFN-tau on the timing of luteolysis and the success of asynchronous embryo transfer

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Demmers ◽  
HN Jabbour ◽  
DW Deakin ◽  
AP Flint
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Interferon Tau ◽  
Recombinant Interferon ◽  
Uterine Flushing ◽  
Calving Rate

The role of interferon in early pregnancy in red deer was investigated by (a) measuring production of interferon by the conceptus, (b) testing the anti-luteolytic effect of recombinant interferon-tau in non-pregnant hinds, and (c) treatment of hinds with interferon after asynchronous embryo transfer. Blastocysts were collected from 34 hinds by uterine flushing 14 (n = 2), 16 (n = 2), 18 (n = 8), 20 (n = 13) or 22 (n = 9) days after synchronization of oestrus with progesterone withdrawal. Interferon anti-viral activity was detectable in uterine flushings from day 16 to day 22, and increased with duration of gestation (P < 0.01) and developmental stage (P < 0.01). When interferon-tau was administered daily between day 14 and day 20 to non-pregnant hinds to mimic natural blastocyst production, luteolysis was delayed by a dose of 0.2 mg day(-1) (27.3 +/- 1.3 days after synchronization, n = 4 versus 21 +/- 0 days in control hinds, n = 3; P < 0.05). Interferon-tau was administered to hinds after asynchronous embryo transfer to determine whether it protects the conceptus against early pregnancy loss. Embryos (n = 24) collected on day 6 from naturally mated, superovulated donors (n = 15) were transferred into synchronized recipients on day 10 or day 11. Interferon-tau treatment (0.2 mg daily from day 14 to 20) increased calving rate from 0 to 64% in all recipients (0/11 versus 7/11, P < 0.005), and from 0 to 67% in day 10 recipients (0/8 versus 6/9, P < 0.01). The increased success rate of asynchronous embryo transfer after interferon-tau treatment in cervids may be of benefit where mismatched embryo-maternal signalling leads to failure in the establishment of pregnancy.

scholarly journals The dark-ventral-patch of male red deer, a sexual signal that conveys the degree of involvement in rutting behavior

BMC Zoology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva de la Peña ◽  
Javier Pérez-González ◽  
José Martín ◽  
Giovanni Vedel ◽  
Juan Carranza
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Doñana National Park ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Mating Competition ◽  
Dark Patch ◽  
Rutting Behavior

Abstract Background In polygynous mammals, signalling may play a decisive role in mating behavior, mediating the intensity of male fights and female mate choice. During the rutting season, male red deer may show a visible dark patch in their ventral fur. Recently, this patch has been suggested to act as a flexible sexual signal, due to its relationships with other variables such as age, body size, antler development, volatile compounds, or the competitive environment. The analysis of fur pigmentation at the ventral patch suggests that this might also visually indicate the male intrinsic predisposition to take part in mating competition. Results To assess the possible role of this trait as a communicative signal related to mate competition, we used red deer behavioral observations during the rut in Doñana National Park (Spain) to examine the link between the degree of expression of the dark ventral patch and the rutting activity (assessed from both intra-and-inter-sexual behaviors). Consistent with our predictions, we found in a field study that males with large dark patches showed a higher frequency of rutting behaviors (mainly roaring and flehmen), more interactions with females, and attained larger harem sizes. Conclusions The dark ventral patch was a better predictor of male behavior than antler tines or territory holding, thus standing as a short-term indicator of male willingness to invest in mating competition.

scholarly journals Maintenance of a hybrid zone: The role of female mate choice

The Auk ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Hughes ◽  
Alicia Toon ◽  
Peter B. Mather ◽  
Corinna L. Lange
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Hybrid Zone ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Female Mate

scholarly journals The Roles of Altruism, Heroism, and Physical Attractiveness in Female Mate Choice

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lacey Margana ◽  
Manpal Singh Bhogal ◽  
James Edward Bartlett ◽  
Daniel Farrelly
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Prosocial Behaviour ◽  
Choice Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Female Mate ◽  
Mating Signal

The role of prosocial behaviour in female mate choice has been extensively explored, focusing on the desirability of altruism in potential mates, as well as altruism being a mating signal. However, little research has focused on the desirability of heroism and altruism in potential partners. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of attractiveness on the desirability of prosocial traits has only recently been explored, and to our knowledge, has not explored in relation to the desirability of heroism in a romantic partner. We explored the effect of prosociality and attractiveness on female desirability ratings (n=198), and whether desirability was influenced by whether women were seeking a short-term or long-term relationship. We find that women are attracted to men who display heroism and altruism, and this preference is higher when the male is attractive compared to unattractive. Furthermore, preferences for prosocial traits were higher when seeking a long-term compared to a short-term partner. Our findings add to the literature on prosocial behaviour and mate choice. Data and materials [https://osf.io/a76p8/?view_only=95408822fa9f447bb93ba37ad7bae84b].

scholarly journals Role of Estrogen and Prostaglandin F2α in Premature Luteal Regression in Monovulatory and Superovulated Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus)1

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R.J. Bainbridge ◽  
Morag G. Hunter ◽  
Dennis G. Chapple ◽  
Anthony P.F. Flint ◽  
Henry N. Jabbour
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Luteal Regression

Regulation of aminopeptidases by the renin - angiotensin system: monitoring seasonal variations in red deer and fallow deer from a Mediterranean ecosystem

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 761
Author(s):  
A. Galán-Ocaña ◽  
M. J. Ramírez-Expósito ◽  
J. M. Martínez-Martos ◽  
S. Tellado ◽  
C. Azorit
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Mediterranean Ecosystem ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Renin Angiotensin

The circulating renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is well known for its systemic role in the regulation of blood pressure, renal hemodynamics and fluid homeostasis. However, in mammals several organs also contain a local RAS, including male and female reproductive tissues. In the present study we analysed serum from a free-living population of red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) to determine the activity of four RAS-regulating aminopeptidases (aminopeptidase A, aspartyl aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase N and aminopeptidase B) as part of a study of annual cycles of growth and condition. Our aim was to detect seasonal variations in the activities of these aminopeptidases and their relationship to the reproductive behaviour of both species in a Mediterranean environment. In both males and females there was a maximum peak of activity in autumn. A second peak was detected in spring for males while in females activity was also higher in summer. These changes may be related to a different endocrine status according to their seasonal cycle, the decreased photoperiod in autumn and the normal timing of the seasonal growth cycle. Thus, changes in the activity of RAS-regulating aminopeptidases could reflect the functional role of angiotensins through the annual cycle of both species, also suggesting an important role of these peptide hormones in the regulation of these biological processes.

Comparison of vocalisations of introduced European red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) in north-western Patagonia (Argentina) with native European populations

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 714 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Hurtado ◽  
J. M. Smith-Flueck ◽  
P. Black-Decima
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Acoustical Properties ◽  
Andean Cordillera ◽  
Northern European ◽  
Acoustic Study ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
European Populations

Polygynous deer are very vocal species, producing calls in various contexts. Male rutting calls in red deer (Cervus elaphus) have been most studied in captive and/or free-ranging European populations. The recent application of ‘source-filter theory’ has identified the independent roles of fundamental frequency (F0) and formants in the production of deer calls and demonstrated the relation between formant spacing and anatomical characteristics such as body size. The present paper describes and characterises the acoustical properties of male rutting vocalisations for a free-ranging red deer population located in the ecotone of the eastern Andean cordillera within the Nahuel Huapi National Reserve (Neuquén, Argentina), and is the first acoustic study of free-ranging red deer stags outside their historic distribution. Recordings were made of seven identified and several unidentified stags at the peak of the rut in 2007. Calculated F0 was found to be higher for these identified stags than for Scottish red deer on the island of Rhum. The analysis of formant spacing was used to calculate the length of the vocal tract (VTL) for the seven males studied; values were comparable to those found in stags from Rhum. The longest calculated VTLs within these males corresponded to those of the four stags with the largest antler racks and the only stags holding harems. Previous studies have shown that VTL correlates with body size, age and reproductive success and that these deer have the ability to lower their larynx and extend their vocal tracts to a maximum, which is probably under sexual selection. Our data fit with this explanation. The higher F0s recorded in this population may result from the influence of wapiti genes, known to be present in these deer, because wapiti have a much higher-frequency rutting call, namely, the bugle. Alternatively, they may be related to the mating strategy, which differs substantially from the northern European populations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document