Male social plasticity influences transient dynamics of alternative mating systems in water striders

Animal mating systems are often studied with the goal of understanding why species, populations, or groups vary from one another in the system they display. Although these differences are often treated as basically stable, it is also known that these systems may shift over time (e.g. from one breeding season to the next). There has been some study of how ecological factors correlate with these changes; however, few, if any, studies have investigated how the phenotypic composition of a group governs the timing and probability of system transitions. Groups of stream water striders (Aquarius remegis) can demonstrate quick and flexible transitions in mating system dynamics, with many groups eventually transitioning to a system in which a single, large male monopolizes mating opportunities. We asked if variation in individual- and group-level traits associated with morphology and behavior (e.g. size of the largest individual, variance in activity behavioral types, and average social plastici...动物交配系统的相关研究常以探明不同物种、种群或类群所展现的交配系统为何彼此存在差异为核心目标。尽管这类差异通常被认为基本稳定，但已有研究证实，交配系统可随时间发生转变（例如不同繁殖季之间）。目前已有部分研究探讨了生态因子与这类转变之间的相关性；然而，鲜有（即便存在也极少）研究考察类群的表型组成如何调控交配系统转变的时机与发生概率。溪黾（stream water striders, Aquarius remegis）类群能够展现出交配系统动态的快速且灵活的转变，多数类群最终会过渡至由单一大型雄性独占交配机会的系统。本研究旨在探究与形态和行为相关的个体及类群水平性状变异（例如最大个体的体型、活动行为型的方差、平均社会可塑性……