Evolution of monogamy - a rare mammalian stragy

What is it about?

This paper investigates long-term sex-specific space use patterns and how these may have contributed to the evolution of monogamy in this ancient mammal. Results show pairwise overlap of home range with the exclusion of other conspecifics. In addition, females are spaced further apart than males. Due to highly synchronised reproduction this prevents males from mating with more than one female and suggests that intolerance between females may have facilitated the evolution of monogamy in this species.

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Why is it important?

Monogamy is rare among mammals and theoretical predictions are rarely studied. This study provides evidence for the hypotheses that competition for resources needed for reproduction (e.g. food, shelter) of females and low population densities could account for the evolution of monogamy in insectivorous sengis. Home ranges are more exclusive for females than males and activity centers further apart for females providing the first empirical evidence for a role of intrasexual intolerances between females in the evolution of monogamy.