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Cited by 87Animal Behavior and ReproductionPrimate Behavior and EcologyWildlife Ecology and Conservation

Evolution of ungulate mating systems: Integrating social and environmental factors

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Bowyer, R. Terry, McCullough, Dale R., Rachlow, Janet L., Ciuti, Simone, Whiting, Jericho C.·2020·Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1002/ece3.6246PMC PMC7297761
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Abstract

Ungulates exhibit diverse mating systems that range from monogamous pair territories to highly polygynous leks. We review mating systems and behaviors across ungulates and offer a new approach synthesizing how interacting factors may shape those mating systems. Variability exists in mating systems among and within species of ungulates and likely is affected by predation risk, availability of resources (food and mates), habitat structure, and sociality. Ungulate mating systems may be labile as a consequence of the varying strength of those interacting factors. In addition, degree of polygyny and sexual dimorphism in size are associated with the evolution of mating systems. Neither male–male combat nor paternal care, however, can completely explain differences in sexual size dimorphism for ungulates, a necessary component in understanding the development of some mating systems. Whatever the evolutionary pathway, sexual segregation limits paternal care allowing more intense male–male competition. Selection of habitat structure, because it modifies risk of predation, is a major determinant of sociality for ungulates. Likewise, ruggedness and steepness of terrain limit the types of mating systems that can occur because of limitations in group size and cohesiveness, as well as the ability of males to herd even small groups of females effectively. The quality and defensibility of resources affect mating systems, as does the defensibility of females. Population density of females also may be a critical determinant of the types of mating systems that develop. Size of groups likewise constrains the types of mating tactics that males can employ. Our aim was to use those relationships to create a broad conceptual model that predicts how various environmental and social factors interact to structure mating systems in ungulates. This model provides a useful framework for future tests of the roles of both ecological and social conditions in influencing the social systems of ungulates.

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Authors
Bowyer, R. T., McCullough, D. R., Rachlow, J. L., Ciuti, S., & Whiting, J. C.
Affiliations
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • University of Idaho (US)
  • University College Dublin (IE)
  • Brigham Young University - Idaho (US)
Corresponding author
Bowyer, R. Terry
ORCID
Venue
Ecology and Evolution
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-04-15
Volume
10
Issue
11
Pages
5160-5178
ISSN
2045-7758 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/ece3.6246
PMC
PMC7297761
OpenAlex
W3016297730
Cited by
87
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 4
FWCI
1.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Ecology and Evolution (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
ungulates, mating systems, polygyny, sexual size dimorphism, predation risk, habitat structure, sociality, male-male competition, paternal care, lek mating, group size, resource availability, female density, mating system evolution, conceptual model

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