Female fur seals show active choice for males that are heterozygous and unrelated

J. I. Hoffman (), J. Forcada, P. N. Trathan and W. Amos
Additional contact information
J. I. Hoffman: University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
J. Forcada: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
P. N. Trathan: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
W. Amos: University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

Nature, 2007, vol. 445, issue 7130, 912-914

Abstract: Seals of approval Choosy females of many species congregate in or visit specific places called leks where males display, advertising themselves as potential mates. But there's a potential catch — if females always prefer the flashiest males, genetic variance will be weeded out. A study of a colony of Antarctic fur seals in South Georgia may go some way towards resolving this 'lek paradox'. Here the female fur seals are prepared to travel to find the best mate. The males are essentially static, and the females move around the colony, in a kind of extended lek, choosing between the males. As a result, the females manage to balance relatedness of potential mate against heterozygosity, maintaining variation.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05558

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