Journal article
Sexual selection and genital allometry in the Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus)
Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, Vol.78(5), pp.356-360
2013
Abstract
Under sexual selection, genitalia typically undergo rapid and divergent evolution across species and competition between the sexes over control of fertilisation may drive the co-evolution of male and female sexual traits. Sexual selection can, therefore, influence genitalia in three fundamental but non-mutually exclusive ways: (1) cryptic female choice, (2) sperm competition and (3) sexual conflict. Golden moles (Chrysochloridae) are a highly specialised family endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. We examined intra-specific genital allometry of both male and female subterranean Hottentot golden moles (Amblysomus hottentotus). Consistent with previous studies in mammals, we found positive allometry and a high coefficient of variation (CV) for male genitalia. The results for female reproductive tract length of A. hottentotus contrast with the findings of previous studies as isometry was recorded. Based on the allometric relationships of both males and females presented here, we suggest that the males do not sequester females and that in the absence of visual cues the female may use penis size as an indicator of phenotypic quality.
Details
- Title
- Sexual selection and genital allometry in the Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus)
- Authors/Creators
- T.A. Retief (Author/Creator) - University of PretoriaN.C. Bennett (Author/Creator) - University of PretoriaA.A. Kinahan (Author/Creator) - University of PretoriaP.W. Bateman (Author/Creator) - University of Pretoria
- Publication Details
- Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, Vol.78(5), pp.356-360
- Publisher
- Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena
- Identifiers
- 991005543322407891
- Copyright
- © 2012 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.434 Sexual Selection
- Web Of Science research areas
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science