Weak polygyny in California sea lions and the potential for alternative mating tactics.

摘要: Female aggregation and male territoriality are considered to be hallmarks of polygynous mating systems. The development genetic parentage assignment has called into question the accuracy behavioral traits in predicting true In this study we use 14 microsatellite markers explore system one most behaviorally species, California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). We sampled a total 158 female-pup pairs 99 territorial males across two breeding rookeries (San Jorge Los Islotes) Gulf California, Mexico. Fathers could identified for 30% pups at San three seasons 15% Islotes seasons. Analysis paternal relatedness between which no fathers were (sampled over four revealed that few likely share father. Thirty-one percent on assigned least paternity. With exception, was as father more than pups. Furthermore, rookery there significantly fewer paternity expected given pool (p<0.0001). Overall, found considerably lower variation reproductive success species exhibits behavior associated with strongly mating. Low may result from heightened mobility among receptive females reduces ability monopolize groups females. Our results raise important questions regarding adaptive role potential alternative tactics species.