Sperm competition in humans: mate guarding behavior negatively correlates with ejaculate quality.

ABSTRACT: In species where females mate with multiple males, the sperm from these males must compete to fertilise available ova. Sexual selection from sperm competition is expected to favor opposing adaptations in males that function either in the avoidance of sperm competition (by guarding females from rival males) or in the engagement in sperm competition (by increased expenditure on the ejaculate). The extent to which males may adjust the relative use of these opposing tactics has been relatively neglected. Where males can successfully avoid sperm competition from rivals, one might expect a decrease in their expenditure on tactics for the engagement in sperm competition and vice versa. In this study, we examine the relationship between mate guarding and ejaculate quality using humans as an empiri

SUBMITTER: Leivers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4176016 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature