Courtship and female competition in the majorcan midwife toad, Alytes muletensis

Bush, Sarah L. and Bell, Diana J. (1997) Courtship and female competition in the majorcan midwife toad, Alytes muletensis. Ethology, 103 (4). pp. 292-303. ISSN 0179-1613

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Abstract

The courtship and mating behaviour of A. muletensis are described based on observations of captive toads. Courtship is prolonged and complex, with both sexes participating actively. Either sex can escape from amplexus and may do so if the partner fails to respond appropriately to courtship manoeuvres. Females control the pace and duration of courtship. Females unable to obtain a mate drop their eggs unfertilized. Both sexes produce courtship vocalizations and either sex may initiate courtship, although females were observed to do so only when they were in danger of dropping their eggs. Physical competition in the form of interference and grappling may occur between either males or females, but was observed more frequently between females. The active role played by females during courtship in this species is discussed with regard to sex-role reversal theory and opportunities for mate choice.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	courtship,majorcan midwife toad,mate competition,mating behaviour
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2015 08:32
Last Modified:	18 May 2023 00:14
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/53033
DOI:	10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00019.x

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