Various types of copulatory behavior of individually marked and molecularly sexed Dovekies (Alle alle) were studied in the breeding colony in Hornsund (South Spitsbergen) in 2005-2006. Female-male (reverse) mounting (females mounting males) was recorded in 5% of all 851 observed copulations and copulation attempts. All reverse mountings were observed in one pair of 37 studied during the prelaying period. Female-male mountings made up half of all recorded copulations and copulation attempts in this particular pair. We discuss possible function of female-male mountings. We also describe homosexual male-male, mountings and redirected mountings which made up 0.3% and 1.5% respectively of all observed types of copulatory behavior.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2008
Variation in Copulatory Behavior of the Dovekie
Dariusz Jakubas,
Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Waterbirds
Vol. 31 • No. 4
December 2008
Vol. 31 • No. 4
December 2008
Alle alle
copulation
Dovekie
male-male mounting
redirected mounting
reverse mounting