McComb K
Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge, UK.
Nature. 1987;330(6149):648-9. doi: 10.1038/330648a0.
Some male mammals call loudly and repeatedly during the breeding season. Although the song of male birds is known to have effects on male-male competition, mate selection and ovulation, until now the loud calls of male mammals have been shown to affect only competition between males. Although it has been suggested that loud calling could also serve to attract females, the possibility that it has a direct effect on reproduction in females has not previously been investigated for any mammal. Here I report that roaring in red deer (Cervus elaphus) advances ovulation and that harem-holding males can improve their mating success by regular calling.
一些雄性哺乳动物在繁殖季节会大声且反复地呼叫。虽然已知雄鸟的歌声会对雄雄竞争、配偶选择和排卵产生影响，但到目前为止，雄性哺乳动物的大声呼叫仅被证明会影响雄性之间的竞争。尽管有人提出大声呼叫也可能用于吸引雌性，但此前尚未对任何哺乳动物研究其对雌性繁殖是否有直接影响。在此我报告，马鹿（Cervus elaphus）的吼叫会使排卵提前，并且拥有妻妾群的雄性马鹿通过定期呼叫可以提高其交配成功率。
