Males Choose Larger Females as Mates in the Salmander Desmognathus santeetlah

Verrell, Paul

ABSTRACT: Intrinsic constraints resulting in temporally‐limited mating capacity may select for ‘prudence’ in the allocation of sexual resources by male salamanders. Prudence in the form of male mate choice was examined in a dusky salamander, Desmognathus santeetlah (Plethodontidae). Males mated with small and larger females at similar rates when presented sequentially with potential partners differing in snout‐vent length. However, males were more likely to mate with larger females when presented simultaneously with two potential partners that differed in snout‐vent length by at least 4 mm. The greater mating success of larger females was due to male mate choice for more fecund partners. Behavioural observations of trios composed of one male and two females revealed that males experienced ample opportunities for partner assessment that were uninfluenced by direct interactions between females. Male choice for larger females may confer an advantage on choosy males because female fecundity is positively correlated with body size in D. santeetlah: larger females carry more eggs available for fertilization. The occurrence and value of male mate choice in natural populations, where males compete for partners and females mate multiple times, remain to be determined.