How cuckoldry can decrease the opportunity for sexual selection: Data and theory from a genetic parentage analysis of the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.171310198
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:37:36Z
• Authors: Adam G. Jones; DeEtte Walker; Charlotta Kvarnemo; Kai Lindström; John C. Avise
• Keywords: Pomatoschistus; Polygyny

Alternative mating strategies are common in nature and generally thought to increase the intensity of sexual selection. However, cuckoldry can theoretically decrease opportunity for selection, particularly highly polygamous species. We address here influence sneaking (fertilization thievery) on selection sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus , a marine fish species which males build defend nests. Our microsatellite-based analysis system natural population shows high rates multiple by males. Sneaker had fertilized eggs ≈50% assayed nests, sneakers sometimes from single female. Successful received 2 6 females per nest (mean = 3.4). developed simple mathematical model showing that this polygynous almost certainly decreases an outcome contrasts with usual effects socially monogamous animals. These results highlight more complex interesting relationship between than previously assumed much literature animal systems.