It's the time of the season: seasonal variation in sexually conflicted size-assortative pairing

Size-assortative pairing is common across a wide range of taxa. In many cases, both sexes would benefit from pairing with a mate larger than themselves. As males and females cannot simultaneously be larger than their pair mate, size differences within pairs reflect which sex is able to obtain this benefit. Snapping shrimp can be found in pairs year-round, and both males and females would benefit from pairing with larger individuals. Larger females are more fecund; males, then, are likely to benefit from pairing with larger females primarily in the reproductive season. Larger individuals are more successful competitors and females benefit more from shared burrow defense than males; for females, then, benefits of pairing with larger males are likely to accrue year-round. In this study, we use field data to test whether within-pair size differences in snapping shrimp correspond more to male or female interests, and whether this outcome differs between seasons. We find that size-assortative pairing varies seasonally: although body sizes of paired males and females are highly correlated year-round, the within-pair size difference is greater during the reproductive season than the nonreproductive season. Furthermore, within pairs, females are larger than males during the reproductive season, while pairs are size-matched or male-biased during the nonreproductive season. These changes in within-pair size relationships suggest seasonal differences in which sex has greater control over pair formation, and highlight nonreproductive benefits associated with monogamous pairing. In addition, these results underscore the importance of considering temporal variation in studies of size-assortative pairing.

Automated summary

Size-assortative pairing is common in many species, where males and females benefit from pairing with larger individuals. This study on snapping shrimp finds that the size-assortative pairing varies seasonally, with greater size differences within pairs during the reproductive season. Females tend to be larger than males during this season, while pairs are size-matched or male-biased during the nonreproductive season. These findings suggest seasonal differences in pair formation and highlight nonreproductive benefits associated with monogamous pairing.