Courtship behaviour and sexual selection in the domestic cat

Abstract

Oestrus timing and courtship behaviour in a rural free-ranging domestic cat population was examined and discussed in the context of sexual selection theory. Most male cats and all female cats in this population were “tame” and based at a specific household. When several cats occurred in the same household, they were usually genetically related. Female cats in the population were seasonally polyoestrus. 60% of older females bred twice a year and 7%,3 times a year. Corresponding figures for 1-year-old females were 33 and 2%, respectively. Median date for first oestrus of the year was 1 March for older females and 22 March for 1-year-olds. This difference was significant (P < 0.001; t-test). Contrary to prediction from sexual selection theory, oestrus was found to be synchronized within female groups. Females living in groups with related males more often left their “homes” during oestrus than females not having such males “at home” (P = 0.059; Fisher test). This was interpreted as an indication of incest-avoidance behaviour. Courtship behaviour was studied in some detail during 14 oestrus periods, and some data from another 13 oestrus periods were also collected. Each female was courted separately by 1 or, in most cases, several (2–5; x = 2.3) males simultaneously. One male could always be distinguished as staying much closer to the female (“Central Male” = CM) than the other males (“Peripheral Males” = PMs). The CM was socially dominant over the PMs and performed all the copulations. Average copulation frequency was 15 per 24 h. Cats that attained CM positions were older and larger (⩾ 3 years; x = 5.4 kg) than cats that rarely or never attained that status (1–4 years; x = 4.0 kg). Young males were recorded to mate with females of their own kin group while courting them in the absence of other males. The female habit of changing location frequently during courtship caused increased competition between males. CM-PM aggressions were more frequent and more serious than PM-PM aggressions. Most conflicts were settled by threat displays; fights were relatively rare. Exchange of CM occurred frequently, most commonly as a result of a CM leaving his position unprovoked, or when a former CM resumed his position after an absence of some time.