New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
The social mating system of Hoplodactylus maculatus
Amanda C. Todd*
School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
*Present address: Science Editor, Science and Technical Publishing,
Research, Development and Improvement Division, Department of
Conservation, P.O. Box 10 420, Wellington, New Zealand.
atodd@doc.govt.nz
Abstract I investigated the social mating system
of the common gecko Hoplodactylus maculatus. I used
courtship behaviour as an index of mating activity and analysed peak
courtship activity periods. I also examined fighting behaviour, to
determine the degree of territoriality and mate guarding, and
investigated the effect of body size on reproductive success. Mating
activity is opportunistic throughout the 24 h period, and larger males
court significantly more frequently, suggesting that body size may
affect male reproductive success. H. maculatus is gregarious,
lacks territoriality and has a courtship pattern that suggests a high
level of promiscuity for both sexes.
Keywords Hoplodactylus maculatus; gecko;
lizard; social mating system; courtship activity; fight behaviour; body
size; sex ratio; New Zealand
Z05002; Received 1 February 2005; accepted 16 May 2005; Online
publication date 29 August 2005
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2005, Vol. 32: 251–262
0301–4223/05/3204–0251 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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