Physiological Suppression of Sexual Function of Subordinate Males: A Subtle Form of Intrasexual Competition Among Male Sifakas ( Propithecus verreauxi)?

Abstract

In contrast to most anthropoid primates, sifakas ( Propithecus verreauxi), like many group-living lemurs, exhibit a number of features that deviate from predictions of sexual selection theory. Despite a promiscuous mating system, they lack sexual dimorphism, suggesting that physical combat plays only a minor role in intrasexual competition for receptive females. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that socioendocrinological mechanisms contribute to suppression of reproductive function of subordinate males. For that purpose, 10 male sifakas from five social groups were observed for 669 focal animal hours for 4 months, including the mating season, in Western Madagascar. Concomitantly, 315 fecal samples of these animals were collected and the concentration of immunoreactive testosterone was quantified by enzymeimmunoassay procedures. Clear dominance relationships existed among coresident males. Testosterone levels of dominant males were significantly higher than those of subordinates during, as well as outside, the mating season. Additionally, the increase in testosterone levels prior to the mating season was more pronounced for dominant than for subordinate males. These findings are in accordance with the hypothesis of suppression of sexual function of subordinate males, probably providing dominant males with an advantage in sperm competition. If reproductive success is mainly determined by this nonagonistic form of intrasexual competition, the results of this study contribute an important piece to the puzzle of lacking sexual dimorphism in P. verreauxi.