Contrasting activity budgets of alternative reproductive tactics in male striped mice
Résumé
To maximize their fitness, individuals of one sex can display discrete reproductive
phenotypes, called alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs). Individuals following
ARTs show behavioural variation, which might result in differences in energy
intake and expenditure. However, few studies have compared activity budgets and
non-sexual behaviour of individuals following ARTs in nature. We studied male
African striped mice Rhabdomys pumilio, which can follow three ARTs: (1) breeding
male of a group of females; (2) philopatrics remaining in their natal group; or
(3) solitary living roamers. We predicted that each tactic is characterized by its
specific activity budget, representing alternative energy trade-offs. We conducted
focal animal observations on 70 males following ARTs. Roamers had higher travelling
rates than philopatrics, and breeders had larger daily range sizes compared to
philopatrics but not roamers. Philopatrics had higher foraging rates than breeders
and showed more socio-positive behaviour than roamers. Breeders and philopatrics
were in their nest more often than roamers, potentially engaging in social interactions
with other group members. Roamers were chased off more often than breeders,
but the three tactics did not differ concerning rates of socio-negative
behaviour. Overall, philopatrics allocated their time towards behaviours that would
increase body mass and survival probability, which could improve the probability
to switch to a tactic of higher reproductive success. In contrast, breeders and roamers
allocated their time towards behaviours that would increase their chances to
mate. In conclusion, following ARTs results in contrasting activity budgets that
reflect the differences in reproductive behaviours observed between tactics.
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