Reproductive effort affects subsequent horn growth in sexually dimorphic male ungulates

Willisch, Christian Simon; Neuhaus, Peter (2021). Reproductive effort affects subsequent horn growth in sexually dimorphic male ungulates Evolutionary Ecology, 35(5-6), pp. 809-821. Springer 10.1007/s10682-021-10128-7

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Trade-offs between reproductive effort and subsequent growth in males are not well explored, despite their relevance in questions of individual energy allocation. Regarding the growth of sexual secondary characters in polygynous breeding male mammals, indeed, no conclusive studies exist. We investigated in male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) the relationship between their behavioral reproductive effort, current horn size, and subsequent horn growth. While controlling for age, no evidence was found for male behavioral reproductive effort during the rut being affected by their horn size. On the other hand, reproductive effort significantly decreased age-specific horn growth during the following summer. Our study provides evidence that growth of secondary sexual characters is traded against behavioral investments in reproduction in a male mammal. It bears important implications for the understanding of energy allocation between various life-history components and the evolutionary ecology of secondary sexual characters.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Multifunctional Forest Management School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Multifunctional Forest Management > Forest Ecosystem and Management
Name:	Willisch, Christian Simon and Neuhaus, Peter
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > SD Forestry
ISSN:	0269-7653
Publisher:	Springer
Submitter:	Simon Lutz
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2021 14:33
Last Modified:	06 Dec 2021 14:40
Publisher DOI:	10.1007/s10682-021-10128-7
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.15983
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/15983