No preference in female sika deer for conspecific over heterospecific male sexual calls in a mate choice context

摘要: Mating signals can be used both in contexts of species recognition and mate quality assessment. This study examines abilities oestrous females presented with male mating calls from conspecifics closely related allopatric heterospecifics. Red deer sika are naturally polygynous capable hybridization during sympatry. Male sexually selected differ greatly between species. Previous work indicated that most but not all red hinds prefer over heterospecific deer. Using two-speaker playback experiments, we extend this examination by measuring the preference responses to these stimuli. We predicted will show little flexibility behavioural conspecific calls, similar those hinds. In contrast, showed high levels no difference overall behaviours, suggesting vocal behaviour does provide a solid barrier The asymmetry is discussed relation possible causation patterns observed free-ranging populations.