Mate choice in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus L.)

The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus L,) has colonized different types of environments that differ in their spatial distribution of resources. Urban environments are characterized by highly clumped distributions of food and shelter, allowing domestic cats to live in large multimale-multifemale groups. In such a situation, questions arise about male and female mating strategies, In particular, do females exert active mate choice? We tested this question using behavioural records on acceptance and refusal of males by estrous females. Our results showed that most females copulated with several males during a single estrus period. The variability of female behaviour was high: six females copulated with all courting males whereas three others mated with most courting males; six others copulated with half or less of the courting males. Even if some females copulated with certain males more often than with others, the identity of the most successful males changed each time, These results show that most females did not choose mates among different males available, The results are discussed in terms of optimal reproductive strategies of males and females in an urban environment. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.