The cost of success: reproductive effort in male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

摘要: Reproductive effort is a key parameter of life history because it measures the resources allocated to reproduction at expense growth and maintenance. Male reproductive always had minor role with respect female both in development theories field research. Elephant seals are an ideal subject for studies they fast during breeding season, splitting phase energy acquisition from use breeding. In this paper, we present results on male (weight loss estimated by photogrammetry) southern elephant (Mirounga leonina), most dimorphic polygynous all mammal species. We show that total increases age, no sign late decrease or senescence. species depends mostly behavioral factors, i.e., success competition other males, intensity interaction females. A large gains mating fertilizations. The few males able achieve come big cost terms expenditure, but does not seem affect likelihood survival following season.