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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Fluctuating asymmetry and copulation success in lekking black grouse
Arne LundbergArne LundbergRauno V. AlataloRauno V. AlataloJacob HöglundJacob HöglundPekka T. Rintamäkisubject
biologyEcologyZoologyTetraoBlack grousebiology.organism_classificationFluctuating asymmetryLek matingMate choicePlumageSexual selectionAnimal Science and ZoologyMatingEcology Evolution Behavior and Systematicsdescription
Abstract In lekking black grouse, Tetrao tetrix males at the centre of the leks obtain more copulations than males at the edges. We found that males with territories at the edge of the lek obtained fewer matings and also have the most asymmetric tarsi. However, when considering the tail ornament (the lyre) no correlation between asymmetry and mating success was found. Although females are unlikely to select males on the basis of tarsus symmetry, asymmetry in this trait may reflect male condition. We suggest that males in poor condition, as reflected by higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry in the tarsi, do not achieve central positions on the lek arena. This would account for the lower success of males with higher levels of fluctuating tarsus asymmetry.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-08-01 | Animal behaviour |