Extra-pair paternity and the evolution of testis size in a behaviorally monogamous tropical mammal, the large treeshrew (Tupaia tana)

Abstract

Monogamy is rare in mammals (<5% spp.) but occurs in greater frequency among primates (15%) and their close relatives, the treeshrews (100%; Order: Scandentia). Two genetic studies of parentage in monogamous primates revealed high rates of extra-pair paternity (EPP), but to date parentage has not been studied in a treeshrew species. I analyzed the genetic parentage of 22 offspring from two populations of large treeshrews in Sabah, Malaysia (NE Borneo), using seven autosomal microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial DNA marker. Half of these offspring were sired by males that were not the presumed partner of the mother (50% EPP), and three litters exhibited evidence of multiple paternity. However, comparative analysis indicated that the high rate of EPP in Tupaia tana is not associated with intense sperm competition. Relative testis size of treeshrews was similar to testis size in 22 primate species with uni-male mating systems but smaller than 44 primates with multi-male mating systems. After factoring out the effects of body size and phylogeny, I also found that the evolution of multi-male mating systems was significantly associated with the evolution of larger testis size. Male-female pairs of T. tana occupy joint territories but forage and sleep alone ("dispersed pair-living"), and I argue that this form of behavioral monogamy renders mate guarding ineffective. The adaptive advantages of behavioral monogamy likely differ from the advantages driving EPP in large treeshrews. However, small testis size suggests that behavioral monogamy is not masking a dispersed multi-male mating system in this species. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.