Alternative mating strategies of male woodchucks (Marmota monax) [Stratégies d'appariement alternatives ches les mâles de la marmotte des bois (M. monax].

Résumé

Movements of radio-tagged, adult male woodchucks in a SE Ohio population were recorded 1979-1983. Adult male woodchuck can be separated in two groups based upon differences in movement behavior. The first is characterized by males (n = 6) whose home ranges remain the same through out the year and between years. Their home ranges do overlap the home ranges of 1-3 females. The second is characterized by male (n = 5) who have no definite home ranges but move from one area to another. Differences in movement behavior between the two groups can be interpreted as reflecting two alternatives mating tactics. In the first group, males defend resource critical to female reproductive success and thereby limit access of other males to females. In the second group, males expend energy not in resources defense but in locating females during the breeding season. We conclude that the evolution of the two strategies is the result of the potential for a male to defend a resource (hibernacula) important to female fitness but where these resources are sufficiently spaced apart that defense of several is difficult by a single male.