Mating from a female perspective: Do brown bear females play an active role in mate searching?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Limited information exists on the active role of females during mate searching. Theory primarily focuses on male reproductive behaviours, suggesting male distribution follows that of females, while female distribution is influenced by food resources and habitat. This approach might underestimate the females' role in shaping mating strategies. Incorporating a female perspective into mating studies can enhance our understanding of evolutionary factors.

Methods

Using GPS data from brown bears Ursus arctos across Finland, Romania and Slovakia, we explored female movement behaviour during the mating period. First, we estimated movement speed, total distance and net distance at a daily scale. Then, we quantitatively described when the movement peaks occur by estimating

SUBMITTER: Penteriani V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11966790 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature