Multiple paternity in a wild population of the corn mouse: its potential adaptive significance for females

SOMMARO. LUCIA VALERIA; CHIAPPERO, MARINA B. ; VERA, NOELIA SOLEDAD; CODA, JOSÉ A.; PRIOTTO, JOSÉ W.; STEINMANN, ANDREA R.

JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY

ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP DIVISION ALLEN PRESS

Lugar: Lawrence; Año: 2015

0022-2372

Mating with multiple males within a single reproductive event is a common female mating strategy in mice and voles, but its adaptive function is often unclear. In this study, we used 7 microsatellite loci to investigate if multiple paternity occurs in wild populations of the socially promiscuous Calomys musculinus. We also analyzed if multiple paternity increases litter size and/or genetic variability among offspring. In addition, we examined if multiple paternity occurs more frequently in litters conceived at high population density, than those conceived at low population density. By genotyping 23 females and their 135 embryos (5.9 ± 1.6 S.E. pups per female) we found that 56.5% of the litters were sired by two or three males. We found no association between multiple paternity, litter size and genetic variability. In addition, multiple paternity did not vary in relation to population density. Our results provide clear evidence of multiple paternity, and offers the first genetic documentation of mating systems in mice in our country. We discuss the extent of multiple paternity in relation to potential adaptive strategies in female corn mouse.