Social relationships between males and females in the rock lizard (Darevskia brauneri, Lacertidae): 1. Friendly monogyny in males and polyandry in females

Abstract

A natural settlement of Brauner’s rock lizards was observed on the Navagir Ridge (Krasnodar region) in the years 1997–2006. In various years, the settlement included from 18 to 28 adult individuals. Analysis of the frequency of affiliative behavior in the course of intersexual contacts and the frequency of males’ attendance of female’s comfort zones revealed three types of intersexual dyad relationships: (1) friendly, or A-relations (maximal values of both indices; maximal duration of interrelation; and the only reason for the termination of interrelations is death of one of the partners); (2) R-relations (minimal values of all the indices and the main reason for the termination of interrelations is female resettlement); and (3) N-relations (intermediate values of indices and the main reason for the termination of interrelations is transition to another type). Both males and females could simultaneously have several R- and N-interrelations. In males, the A-relations towards only a single female was always observed. In females, the A-relations could form simultaneously with two males. Approximately one-third of the friendly connected groups were polyandrous triads (female and two males); the rest were monogamous (male and female). Apparently, in this species there is a general tendency towards social polyandry, which is restrained by certain social and/or environmental factors.