Testing mating systems and sexual selection theories in a polygynous model system

性选择已经得到了广泛的研究，但它仍然存在争议，部分原因是该理论的基础在很大程度上仍未得到检验。虽然性选择的许多组成部分(如攻击性竞争、配偶选择和性冲突)已被阐明，但大多数研究主要集中在昆虫和鸟类这两个具有特殊生活史的类群上。归根结底，我们需要来自其他分类群的类似证据，包括哺乳动物，而这方面的理论和实验工作还缺乏。此外，还存在一些尚未解决的重大问题，如偏爱显眼的第二性装饰和信号的机制；对女性偏好的演变的理解，或交配系统的演变。根据我们10多年来在驯鹿(Rangifer Tarandus)种群繁殖生态方面的工作经验，我的研究团队将解决上述差距，以推动该领域的发展。我的研究计划将测试交配系统理论的关键预测，包括性选择的潜在机制。更具体地说，在接下来的五年里，我的学生和我将：(1)确定雌性是否竞争配偶，使用替代交配策略和展示配偶选择；(2)确定雄性竞争和雄性交配策略的强度在多大程度上随可操作的性别比率(准备交配的雄性和雌性的比率)而变化；(3)评估驯鹿交配后性别选择的可能性；确定(4)雌性密度如何影响交配群体动态和交配策略，以及它们如何反过来影响性别选择的机会。我的研究项目使用了多种方法(操纵性大规模野外实验、长期基于个体的人口统计数据和观察性野外工作)来测试交配系统理论的基本方面，这些理论也与野生动物管理者有关。利用我们独特的研究种群(例如，具有已知谱系的完全控制的基于GPS的种群)，拟议的研究将加强我们对交配系统进化的理解，同时揭示被忽视的女性性选择的关键方面。这项研究通过探索种群密度如何影响雄性交配成功率和种群生产力的分布，并通过提供长期保护所需的信息，具有管理意义。通过检验精子质量假说，驯鹿牧民可能会利用我们的结果来选择他们的繁殖雄鹿。该项目还将有助于培训行为生态学、进化生态学以及野生动物保护和管理方面的高素质人员(2名博士、4名理学硕士和至少5名理学学士)。此外，学生还将在北极圈和国际环境中工作，获得宝贵的实地经验。

Sexual selection has been widely studied, but it remains controversial, partly because the foundations of the theory are still largely untested. While many components of sexual selection (e.g. aggressive competition, mate choice and sexual conflict) have been clarified, most studies focus principally on insects and birds, taxa with peculiar life histories. Ultimately we need similar evidences from other taxa, including mammals, for which theoretical and experimental work is lacking. Moreover, some major unsolved issues exist, such as the mechanisms that favor conspicuous secondary sex ornaments and signals; an understanding of the evolution of female preferences, or the evolution of mating systems. Building from our experience working on the reproduction ecology of a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) population for more than 10 years, my research team will address the above mentioned gap in order to move the field forward. My research program will test the key predictions of mating systems theory, including the underlying mechanisms of sexual selection. More specifically, over the next 5 years, my students and I will: (1) determine whether females compete for mates, use alternative mating strategies and exhibit mate choice; (2) establish to what extent the intensity of male-male competition and male mating tactics change with the operational sex ratio (the ratio of males to females that are ready to mate); (3) evaluate the potential for postcopulatory sexual selection in reindeer; determine (4) how female density influences mating group dynamics and mating tactics, and how they in turn (5) affect the opportunity for sexual selection. My research program uses a combination of approaches (manipulative large-scale field experiments; long-term individual based demographic data, and observational field work) to test fundamental aspects of mating systems theory that is also relevant to wildlife managers. Taking advantage of our unique study population (e.g. fully-controlled GPS-based population, with a known pedigree), the proposed research will enhance our understanding of the evolution of mating systems while shedding light on critical aspects of female sexual selection that have been overlooked. The research has management implications by exploring how population density influences the distribution of male mating success and population productivity, and by providing information necessary for long term conservation. By testing the sperm quality hypothesis, reindeer herders may use our results to select their breeding males. The project will also contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel (2 PhD, 4 MSc and at least 5 BSc) in behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, as well as wildlife conservation and management. In addition, the students will gain invaluable field experience while working in the circumpolar North, and in an international environment.