Multiple mating by females and multiple paternity in rodents: а cross-species comparative analysis

Gromov V.S.

P. 57-72

The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the phenomena of multiple mating by females and multiple paternity in their litters in 48 rodent species with different mating systems, reproductive strategies, and social structures. Multi-male mating is common in female rodents, but this is one of the unsolved problems of behavioral ecology so far. Proposed explanations of multi-male mating assume the potential fitness benefits to females that include fertility assurance by reducing genetic incompatibility, increased genetic diversity of offspring and litter size, postcopulatory sexual selection through sperm competition, an increase in uncertainty of paternity and thus reduction in the probability of infanticide, as well as enhanced access to resources. Multiple paternity is also thought to increase offspring genetic diversity and the effective population size. Different genetic markers have been employed to document multiple paternity including DNA fingerprinting and microsatellites. The results of studies conducted on the above rodent species are discussed and analyzed to check whether the predictions of the above hypotheses about the potential benefits of fitness for females in general or in some particular cases are justified.DOI: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.23.1.07