---
_id: '7753'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: 'In many species, females show reduced expression of a trait that is under
    sexual selection in males, and this expression is thought to be maintained through
    genetic associations with the male phenotype. However, there is also the potential
    for the female trait to convey an advantage in intrasexual conflicts over resources.
    We tested this hypothesis in a feral population of Soay sheep, in which males
    and females have a polymorphism for horn development, producing either full (normal
    horned), reduced (scurred) or no (polled, females only) horns. During the lambing
    period, females who possessed horns were more likely to initiate and win aggressive
    interactions, independent of age, weight and birthing status. The occurrence of
    aggression was also context dependent, decreasing over the lambing period and
    associated with local density. Our results demonstrate that a trait that confers
    benefits to males during intrasexual competition for mates may also be used by
    females in intrasexual competition over resources: males use weaponry to gain
    mates, whereas females use weaponry to gain food.'
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Matthew Richard
  full_name: Robinson, Matthew Richard
  id: E5D42276-F5DA-11E9-8E24-6303E6697425
  last_name: Robinson
  orcid: 0000-0001-8982-8813
- first_name: Loeske E.B
  full_name: Kruuk, Loeske E.B
  last_name: Kruuk
citation:
  ama: 'Robinson MR, Kruuk LE. Function of weaponry in females: The use of horns in
    intrasexual competition for resources in female Soay sheep. <i>Biology Letters</i>.
    2007;3(6):651-654. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278">10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278</a>'
  apa: 'Robinson, M. R., &#38; Kruuk, L. E. . (2007). Function of weaponry in females:
    The use of horns in intrasexual competition for resources in female Soay sheep.
    <i>Biology Letters</i>. The Royal Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278">https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278</a>'
  chicago: 'Robinson, Matthew Richard, and Loeske E.B Kruuk. “Function of Weaponry
    in Females: The Use of Horns in Intrasexual Competition for Resources in Female
    Soay Sheep.” <i>Biology Letters</i>. The Royal Society, 2007. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278">https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278</a>.'
  ieee: 'M. R. Robinson and L. E. . Kruuk, “Function of weaponry in females: The use
    of horns in intrasexual competition for resources in female Soay sheep,” <i>Biology
    Letters</i>, vol. 3, no. 6. The Royal Society, pp. 651–654, 2007.'
  ista: 'Robinson MR, Kruuk LE. 2007. Function of weaponry in females: The use of
    horns in intrasexual competition for resources in female Soay sheep. Biology Letters.
    3(6), 651–654.'
  mla: 'Robinson, Matthew Richard, and Loeske E. .. Kruuk. “Function of Weaponry in
    Females: The Use of Horns in Intrasexual Competition for Resources in Female Soay
    Sheep.” <i>Biology Letters</i>, vol. 3, no. 6, The Royal Society, 2007, pp. 651–54,
    doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278">10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278</a>.'
  short: M.R. Robinson, L.E.. Kruuk, Biology Letters 3 (2007) 651–654.
date_created: 2020-04-30T11:02:28Z
date_published: 2007-08-21T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2021-01-12T08:15:18Z
day: '21'
doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278
extern: '1'
external_id:
  pmid:
  - '17711817'
intvolume: '         3'
issue: '6'
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
  url: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0278
month: '08'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
page: 651-654
pmid: 1
publication: Biology Letters
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - 1744-9561
  - 1744-957X
publication_status: published
publisher: The Royal Society
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: 'Function of weaponry in females: The use of horns in intrasexual competition
  for resources in female Soay sheep'
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 3
year: '2007'
...