Sexual selection, seminal coagulation and copulatory plug formation in primates.

Bibliographic Collection: 
MOCA Reference, APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Dixson, A. L.; Anderson, M. J.
Year of Publication: 2002
Journal: Folia Primatol (Basel)
Volume: 73
Issue: 2-3
Pagination: 63-9
Date Published: 2002 Mar-Jun
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 0015-5713
Keywords: Adaptation, Biological, Animals, Bias (Epidemiology), Biological Evolution, Copulation, Female, Male, Phylogeny, Primates, Semen, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Species Specificity
Abstract:

This study examines the question of whether multipartner matings by female primates, with resulting sperm competition among males, may have favored the evolution of biochemical mechanisms to enhance seminal coagulationand copulatory plug formation. Comparative ratings of seminal coagulation (using a four-point scale where 1 = no coagulation and 4 = copulatory plug formation) were obtained for 40 species representing 26 primate genera. Coagulation ratings were highest (mean = 3.64) in those genera where females commonly mate with multiple partners, and lowest (mean = 2.09) in genera where females are primarily monogamous or belong to polygynous (one male) units(p < 0.0001). This result remained significant (p < 0.001) after the use of comparative analysis of independent contrasts (CAIC) to control for possible phylogenetic biases in the data set. Results indicate that sexual selection has played an important role in the evolution of seminal coagulation, and copulatory plug function, in primates.

Alternate Journal: Folia Primatol.
Related MOCA Topics: