Sexually transmitted diseases in polygynous mating systems: prevalence and impact on reproductive success
Studies of disease in relation to animal mating systems have focused on sexual selection and the evolution of sexual reproduction. Relatively little work has examined other aspects of ecological and evolutionary relationships between host social and sexual behaviour, and dynamics and prevalence of i...
Saved in:
Published in | Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 267; no. 1452; pp. 1555 - 1563 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
The Royal Society
07.08.2000
|
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Studies of disease in relation to animal mating systems have focused on sexual selection and the evolution of sexual reproduction. Relatively little work has examined other aspects of ecological and evolutionary relationships between host social and sexual behaviour, and dynamics and prevalence of infectious diseases; this is particularly evident with respect to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Here, we use a simulation approach to investigate rates of STD spread in host mating systems ranging from permanent monogamy to serial polygyny or polyandry and complete promiscuity. The model assumes that one sex (female) is differentially attracted to the other, such that groups of varying size are formed within which mating and disease transmission occur. The results show that equilibrium disease levels are generally higher in females than males and are a function of variance in male mating success and the likelihood of a female switching groups between mating seasons. Moreover, initial rates of disease spread (determining whether an STD establishes in a population) depend on patterns of host movement between groups, variance in male mating success and host life history (e.g. mortality rates). Male reproductive success can be reduced substantially by a sterilizing STD and this reduction is greater in males that are more 'attractive' to females. In contrast, females that associate with more attractive males have lower absolute fitness than females associating with less attractive males. Thus, the potential for STDs to act as a constraint on directional selection processes leading to polygyny (or polyandry) is likely to depend on the details of mate choice and group dynamics. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ark:/67375/V84-TW9XJ9ML-3 istex:FC818AC6C51F84C488C22CC26DC0A3E4AA6F752A ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 0962-8452 1471-2954 |
DOI: | 10.1098/rspb.2000.1178 |