Influence of scramble competition for mates upon the spatial ability of male meadow voles
Scramble competition for mates selects for traits that increase an individual’s ability to efficiently locate mates. We tested the hypothesis that scramble competition for mates is the cause of sex differences in spatial ability among meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Specifically, we tested the predictions that males with better spatial ability have larger home ranges, visit […]
Female choice based on male spatial ability and aggressiveness among meadow voles
The way in which female mate choice, scramble competition and contest competition for mates interact to influence the evolution of male traits is poorly understood. We tested female preferences for males that varied in spatial ability and aggressiveness, traits likely to be selected by scramble and contest competition, respectively. Male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, were […]