Reproductive effort affects subsequent horn growth in sexually dimorphic male ungulates

Abstract Trade-offs between reproductive effort and subsequent growth in males are not well explored, despite their relevance questions of individual energy allocation. Regarding the sexual secondary characters polygynous breeding male mammals, indeed, no conclusive studies exist. We investigated Alpine ibex ( Capra ) relationship behavioral effort, current horn size, growth. While controlling for age, evidence was found during rut being affected by size. On other hand, significantly decreased age-specific following summer. Our study provides that is traded against investments reproduction a mammal. It bears important implications understanding allocation various life-history components evolutionary ecology characters.