Improved nutritional status may promote an “asset protection” reproductive strategy in male rock lizards

Abstract Investing in the current reproduction requires diverting energy resources from other metabolic functions, which may compromise future and lifespan. To solve this trade-off, an individual consider its labile state to decide how much invest reproduction. We tested experimentally whether “state quality” of male rock lizards influences their reproductive strategies. improve nutritional status males before mating season, we captured supplemented experimental (N = 20) with dietary vitamin D3 (an essential nutrient for lizards) had a control group 20). Then, released all these females 31) large semi-natural outdoor enclosure where could interact mate freely during period. Activity levels did not vary between treatments, but started fewer intrasexual agonistic interactions made advances females. When season ended, incubated eggs laid by obtain offspring estimated paternity using DNA microsatellites. Supplemented sired than males. These results suggest that used low risk/less costly strategy protect assets (i.e., D reserves), still resulted “some” success, while likely increasing longevity expected total success.