DUBELTLIFE
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Leks and reproduction system

Foto: Marcin Lenart
Great snipe distribution within its range is largely a result of the breeding strategy of the species (Kålås et al. 1997b). The males gather at dusk in places called leks, where they present their traits in front of females during mating (Lemnell 1978). Within the lek arena, most males actively defend small territories (Avery and Sherwood 1982). Displaying is a very energy-consuming process, as a result of which some males can lose up to 7% of body weight during a single night (Höglund et al. 1992). To “compensate” for such large energy losses and to continue displaying (which lasts in Poland for about two months) leks can occur only in places with abundant food. These conditions have led to a strong habitat and food specialisation of the species (Løfaldli et al. 1992), influencing the very uneven distribution of great snipe leks (Kålås et al. 1997b).
 
The lek arena usually has an area of ​​several dozen to one hundred square meters, but sometimes it reaches an area of ​​up to 1 ha. The lek is often located on a small elevation of land covered with low herbaceous vegetation, but this is not a rule, as some arenas do not stand out in any special way among the surrounding habitats. In the case of stable habitat conditions (at the lek and in its vicinity), they are often located in the same places or only slightly shift from year to year. Small leks of up to 5 males are more susceptible to shifts and may be ephemeral in places with unstable habitat conditions (Korniluk et al. 2015). Males mate with several females, but also a female can mate with more than one male. The relationships between the partners are very loose, but the choice of males by the female is very specific. It is estimated that only half of the males present on the lek are involved in reproduction, and the “best” males can participate in over 30% of all copulations (Höglund and Lundberg 1987, Fiske et al. 1994). Due to such a strong selection for the partner and a very complex reproductive system, a sufficient number of males at the lek is necessary for the efficient functioning of sexual selection. This minimum number of males is difficult to determine, however, in the case of leks with only a few males, we can expect depletion of the gene pool in the population and consequently its weakening.
 
Males do not take part in incubation and caring for offspring (Cramp and Simons 1983). Therefore, most likely the area around the places chosen by the females for nests must also be rich in food, because the energy cost associated with incubation and rearing of chicks does not spread between both parents.
Obraz
Projekt „Implementacja Krajowego Programu Ochrony Dubelta – etap I” LIFEGALLINAGO ACTION PLAN współfinansowany jest przez Unię Europejską w ramach Instrumentu Finansowego LIFE (nr umowy LIFE17 NAT/PL/000015) oraz przez Narodowy Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej (nr umowy 266/2018/Wn50/OP-WK/LF/D)
Polityka Prywatności
Obraz
The project "Implementation of the National Action Plan for Great Snipe - stage I" LIFEGALLINAGO ACTION PLAN is co-financed by the European Union under the LIFE Financial Instrument (contract number LIFE17 NAT/PL/000015) and by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (contract number 266/2018/Wn50/OP-WK/LF/D)
  • Witamy
  • Aktualności
  • Projekt
    • Cele i Zadania
    • Rezultaty
    • Obszary realizacji
    • Sponsorzy
    • Zespół
    • Seminarium
    • Zamówienia
    • Do pobrania
  • O Dubelcie
    • Identyfikacja
    • Status Ochronny
    • Zasięg
    • Rozmieszczenie
    • Tokowiska
    • Fenologia
    • Areał osobniczy
    • Gniazdo
    • Siedliska
    • Pokarm
    • Migracja
    • Inne Gatunki
  • KPO
    • Grupa Robocza
  • Współpraca
    • Odtwarzania Siedlisk
    • Badania i prawo
    • Rolnicy i promocja
  • Kontakt
  • Welcome
  • News
  • Project
    • Aims and Actions
    • Expected Results
    • Project Sites
    • Funders
    • Our Team
    • Procurement
  • About Great Snipe
    • Identification
    • Conservation Status
    • Species Range
    • Distribution and Trends
    • Leks and reproduction
    • Breeding phenology
    • Home range
    • Nest
    • Habitats
    • Food
    • Migration
    • Associated species
  • Action Plan
    • Working Group
  • Get Involved
    • Land and habitats
    • Research and legislation
    • Farmers and promotion
  • Contact