Pair-living in the absence of obligate biparental care in a lizard: Trading-off sex and food?

摘要: A pair-living social organisation can typically be explained by obligate biparental care. We investigated in the absence of care Australian sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa, which forms exceptionally strong pair bonds. fitted 10 lizards, five male–female pairs, with Global Positioning System (GPS) recorders and continuously monitored associations separations between active partners, based on location records taken every min over 3 mo. Males temporarily separated reunited more frequently than females, but females also contributed to maintenance bond. These behavioural data were consistent hypothesis that successfully coerce males into one female. Lower frequencies association partners once mating had finished support this interpretation. are coerced appear experience higher costs because initiated temporary females. showed movement activity remained later each day. This sex bias may an important mechanism mitigate for males. Costs might include within-pair competition food as competitive. Our study provides detailed empirical a lizard bond insights