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Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(6)

Alternative mating tactics in the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri): when non-territorial males are successful too

A. K. Caudron A B F , S. S. Negro B , M. Fowler C , L. Boren B , P. Poncin A , B. C. Robertson B D and N. J. Gemmell B E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Behavioural Biology Unit, Zoology Institute, University of Liège, 22 Quai Van Beneden, 4020 Liège, Belgium.

B Molecular Ecology Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.

C Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA.

D Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

E Centre for Reproduction and Genomics, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

F Corresponding author. Email: a.caudron@gmail.com

Australian Journal of Zoology 57(6) 409-421 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO09024
Submitted: 8 March 2009  Accepted: 26 November 2009   Published: 8 February 2010

Abstract

In polygynous mammals, the status of many males does not allow them to have a high social rank and theory predicts selection for alternative mating tactics. Alternative tactics were suggested to explain discrepancies between mating and paternity successes in several pinniped species. However, information on alternative tactics in fur seals is limited. Here, we focus on the polygynous New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri, predicting that competition for females is likely to cause a diversification of male mating tactics and that non-territorial tactics can yield reproductive success. We describe the behaviour of 38 males in a medium to large colony. Paternity success was assessed using CERVUS and PASOS, from a pool of 82 pups sampled at the study site and at neighbouring breeding areas. To see whether size is correlated with mating tactic, the length of 17 males was estimated using photogrammetry. Cluster analysis identified three male behavioural profiles: one corresponding to large territorial males and two illustrating alternative tactics employed by smaller non-territorial males. Of the 13 pups born at the study site that were assigned a father, eight were sired by three territorial males and five were sired by non-territorial males. Our study highlights that holding a territory is not a necessary condition for reproductive success in all otariids.

Additional keywords: alternative tactics, fur seals, male mating strategy, pinnipeds, reproductive success.


Acknowledgements

We thank all the people who helped us in the field. Chris Muller and Tanguy de Tillesse provided invaluable help with crossbow sampling, with the kind assistance of Cathy Debier. Nicole Smolensky helped with the behavioural observations. Fieldwork was based at the Edward Percival Field Station, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. In 2002 and 2003, AC worked as a FNRS Scientific Collaborator (Belgium). Fieldwork and genetics work were covered by the FNRS (Bref Séjour grant, Crédit aux Chercheurs # 1.5.120.04.F), the Fonds Léopold III (Belgium), the post-doc Duesberg Fund (University of Liège, Belgium), the University of Canterbury (UC Masters scholarship and the Molecular Ecology Laboratory) and a Minority International Research Traineeship (USA) and associated funding. Samples were collected under the permit Per/10/2002/01, DOC, New Zealand; all experimental work was approved by the University of Canterbury Animal Ethics Committee and complies with the current New Zealand laws. Dr Paul Sunnucks (Monash University), Dr Jon Slate (Sheffield) and two anonymous reviewers made useful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.


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