Correlates of testis mass in capybaras ( Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris ): dominance assurance or sperm production?

Autor:	J. R. Moreira, J. R. Clarke, David W. Macdonald
Rok vydání:	1997
Předmět:	Gonadosomatic Index Scent gland Ecology Zoology Animal Science and Zoology Biology Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris Spermatogenesis Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Testis mass Dominance (genetics)
Zdroj:	Journal of Zoology. 241:457-463
ISSN:	1469-7998 0952-8369
DOI:	10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb04837.x
Popis:	To infer possible functions for the low gonadosomatic index and the high proportion of non-spermatogenic tissue of capybara testes, we analysed the relationship between testes mass and the size and ratio of the testes compartments and, indirectly, their activities. We found that the testes mass of the capybara is closely associated with the size of androgen-dependent scent glands and to the proportion of non-spermatogenic tissue in the testis. We further investigated the associations between variables related to dominance and to sexual characters. The results suggest that dominance in capybaras is more associated with androgen-dependent scent glands than with sperm production. We suggest that male capybaras compete for dominance with chemical and visual status signalling.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
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