The evolution of alternative reproductive strategies: Fitness differential, heritability, and genetic correlation between the sexes

Paternity analyses using molecular markers have become standard in studies of mating systems, parentage, and kinship. In systems where individuals exh ibit alternative mating strategies, molecular analyses have been productive ly used to estimate the reproductive success of each behavioral type and he nce the fitness consequences to each individual. Here we review the fitness results in a system of five alternative mating strategies present in one p opulation of side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), Males in this popula tion adopt one of three behavioral strategies that differ in their degree o f territoriality and mate guarding, In contrast, females adopt one of two s trategies that differ in offspring quantity and quality. We use paternity a nalyses to estimate the fitness of each morph, the heritability of reproduc tive strategy, and the correlation in strategy between the sexes and discus s the implications of our findings for the evolution and maintenance of rep roductive polymorphism in this and other systems.