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Ewe are what ewe wear: bigger horns, better ewes and the potential consequence of trophy hunting on female fitness in bighorn sheep

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dc.contributor.authorDeakin, Samuel
dc.contributor.authorFesta-Bianchet, Marco
dc.contributor.authorMiller, Joshua M.
dc.contributor.authorPelletier, Fanie
dc.contributor.authorColtman, David W.
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-09T20:44:43Z
dc.date.available2023-02-09T20:44:43Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractIn polygynous species, secondary sexual traits such as weapons or elaborate ornaments have evolved through intrasexual competition for mates. In some species, these traits are present in both sexes but are underdeveloped in the sex facing lower intrasexual competition for mates. It is often assumed that these underdeveloped sexually selected traits are a vestige of strong sexual selection on the other sex. Here, we challenge this assumption and investigate whether the expression of secondary sexual traits is associated with fitness in female bighorn sheep. Analyses of 45 years of data revealed that female horn length at 2 years, while accounting for mass and environmental variables, is associated with younger age at primiparity, younger age of first offspring weaned, greater reproductive lifespan and higher lifetime reproductive success. There was no association between horn length and fecundity. These findings highlight a potential conservation issue. In this population, trophy hunting selects against males with fast-growing horns. Intersexual genetic correlations imply that intense selective hunting of large-horned males before they can reproduce can decrease female horn size. Therefore, intense trophy hunting of males based on horn size could reduce female reproductive performance through the associations identified here, and ultimately reduce population growth and viability.
dc.identifier.citationDeakin S, Festa-Bianchet M, Miller JM, Pelletier F, Coltman DW (2022). Ewe are what ewe wear: bigger horns, better ewes and the potential consequence of trophy hunting on female fitness in bighorn sheep. Proc. R. Soc. B 289: 20212534. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2534
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2534
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14078/2989
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsAttribution (CC BY)
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjecttrophy hunting
dc.subjectcranial weaponry
dc.subjectsecondary sexual trait
dc.subjectage of primiparity
dc.subjectlifetime reproductive success
dc.subjectfitness
dc.titleEwe are what ewe wear: bigger horns, better ewes and the potential consequence of trophy hunting on female fitness in bighorn sheepen
dc.typeArticle

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