Abstract

1.
Understanding the factors influencing variation in the degree of sperm competition is a key
question underlying the mechanisms driving sexual conflict.
2.
Previous behavioural and comparative studies have indicated that carnivores appear to have evolved
under sperm competition but an analysis of the predictors of the level of sperm competition is missing.
3.
In this study, we use phylogenetic comparative methods to investigate life-history parameters
predicted to affect the degree of sperm competition in terrestrial carnivores using variation in
relative testes size (RTS, after controlling for body size allometry) as a measure of the level of sperm
competition. Due to a paucity of consistent data across taxa, we used three measures of RTS: testes
mass (
n
=
40 species), testes and epididymes mass combined (
n
=
38), and testes volume (
n
=
48). We
also created a derived data set (
n
=
79) with testes mass estimated from regression analyses on the
other measures of testes size.
4.
Carnivores with shorter mating seasons had relatively larger testes, consistent with the hypothesis
that sperm competition is greater when the degree of female oestrous synchrony is high. This
relationship was stronger in spontaneous versus induced ovulators, suggesting higher sperm
competition levels in spontaneous ovulators. This is the first comparative study to show this within
mammalian taxa. Neither social mating system nor reproductive lifespan were significantly
associated with variation in RTS and hence are poor predictors of sperm competition levels.
5.
None of the above relationships were found to be significant for the testes and epididymes mass
combined data set, but our understanding of the role of the epididymis in sperm competition is too
limited to draw any conclusions.
6.
Finally, we consistently found a significant phylogenetic signal in all analyses, indicating that
phylogeny has played a significant role in the evolution of carnivore testes size and, therefore, in
shaping levels of sperm competition.
7.
Our results shed new light into the factors affecting levels of sperm competition in terrestrial
carnivores by showing that the degree of oestrous synchrony and ovulation type interact to predict
variation in RTS.