Intersexual behaviour and effect of male and female intruders in the Tenerife skink (Chalcides viridanus). Is there any mate guarding?

Abstract

Abstract Individuals avoid potential competitors accessing mates during reproductive periods staying close to the mate and chasing same-sex intruders. We studied intersexual relationships and the effect of intruders of each sex in male-female pairs of Chalcides viridanus. We analysed: (1) behaviour patterns of each pair member and the time they spent together during three successive days in March, April and May; and (2) interactions of intruder-resident of the same sex, during each of the three months. Sexual and monthly differences appeared in intersexual behaviour as the breeding season progressed. In each month, time together was significantly larger on the third trial day than in the two previous days but did not significantly change between months. Sexes did not significantly differ in intruder-resident behaviours, but male aggressive interactions were significantly larger in May. Intruder females performed higher frequencies of non-agonistic behaviours than residents. We discuss all these results considering the predictions of mate guarding hypothesis.