Boldness predicts divorce rates in wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans). (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Ruijiao; Van de Walle, Joanie; Patrick, Samantha C.; Barbraud, Christophe; Weimerskirch, Henri; Delord, Karine; Jenouvrier, Stéphanie
• Is Part Of: Biology letters. Volume 18:Number 9(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: behavioural syndromes -- boldness -- mate competition -- monogamy -- sex bias -- social networks; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9561

Abstract

Abstract : Personality predicts divorce rates in humans, yet how personality traits affect divorce in wild animals remains largely unknown. In a male-skewed population of wandering albatross ( Diomedea exulans ), we showed that personality predicts divorce; shyer males exhibited higher divorce rates than bolder males but no such relationship was found in females. We propose that divorce may be caused by the intrusion of male competitors and shyer males divorce more often because of their avoidance of territorial aggression, while females have easier access to mates regardless of their personality. Thus, personality may have important implications for the dynamics of social relationships.