In a broad range of taxa (e.g. insects, Alcock 1994; reptiles, Censky 1995; Ancona et al. 2010; crustaceans, Sparkes et al. 1996; birds, Komdeur 2001; Low 2006; mammals, Alberts et al. 1996; Matsubara 2003; Willis and Dill 2007; Schubert et al. 2009), males have evolved mate-guarding behaviour to exclude rivals from mating with the guarded female.
That would almost certainly mean that the usurper's offspring emerged before the queen's, leading to an unwelcome change of dynasty.To test this hypothesis, Dr Bull observed the guarding behaviour of the queens.
Given that patterns of paternity in the wild will be influenced by many other factors such as variation in male attractiveness, availability of extra-pair males, male mate guarding behaviour, or competitiveness of male sperm [1] [4], demonstrating an effect of female personality has remained elusive.
Character 1, egg-nymph guarding behaviour (maternal care) [0 = absent, 1 = present].
This pain-related guarding behaviour subsided gradually by day 21 (chronic state) (Fig. 1b).
This type of guarding behaviour may mask LSI, leading to a false negative finding.
Character 1, egg-nymph guarding behaviour (maternal care) [0 = absent, 1 = present, ? = missing data].
Male Soays exhibit mate-guarding behaviour (consorting) in order to block access to a female in oestrus by other males.
The mates do not stay together after mating, indicating the absence of male postcopulatory guarding behaviour (Amano & Chant, 1978b).
This new information on the mating strategies helps explain the post-copulation guarding behaviour of S. gregaria.
