From quiet-night-in to party animal: sex ratio and density affect male/female aggregations in a ‘harem’ polygynous insect

摘要: Varying forms of polygyny are observed across many animal groups. In some species, a male defends group females from other males, and successful defence leads to greater reproductive success. This is often referred as harem most in mammals. A female-biased sex ratio has been associated with polygynous species. such populations, formation ‘harems’ may be an inevitable consequence the relative lack available rather than multiple actively choosing mate subset specific males. Although rare mating system for insects, described several orders, including tree wētā (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Hemideina) New Zealand. Aggregations have found single their diurnal roosts. We aimed determine how local density Hemideina thoracica affected harems laboratory conditions. ‘Harems’ were when was female biased, but no more would expected by chance arrangement individuals, although preferred associate males alone. Conversely, The number each lowest even low. However, did not randomly: high aggregations chance, suggesting that, contrast classic ‘harem’ behaviour, accepted being present long also roost. Additionally, likely low-density Individuals this study showed much flexibility behaviour what