Lek mating systems

Abstract

Abstract Lekking behaviour is one of the most interesting issues in sociobiology. Lek mating systems are characterized by clusters of males, often at a ‘traditional’ site, which females visit for mating. In contrast to the territorial behaviour of most male birds during the breeding season, males of typical lekking species come together and conduct their courtship activities in close proximity. Thus, the central question posed by lek mating systems is, why do males congregate at a single site? Lekking behaviour is also interesting because it is thought that ‘The potential for sexual selection reaches full expression in species with lek mating systems’ (Trail 1990, p. 1837). The clustering of males, which leads to high variance in male reproductive success and thus to intense sexual selection, is the reason that lek systems have been so attractive to students of sexual selection.