Exogenous testosterone does not modulate aggression in sex-role-reversed female Barred Buttonquails, Turnix suscitator

In sex-role-reversed species, females are typically the more competitive sex, defending territories and access to mates, while males take care of the young, often without any help from the female. In males of species with traditional sex roles, testosterone levels generally rise during the breeding season and modulate territorial and aggressive behaviour. Similarly, testosterone may modulate aggressive behaviour in females of sex-role-reversed species. To test this idea, we experimentally increased testosterone levels in sex-role-reversed polyandrous female Barred Buttonquails (Turnix suscitator) by implanting them with testosterone pellets and testing their behavioural responses during a simulated territorial challenge. Contrary to expectations, the testosterone treatment did not elicit a stronger aggressive response towards a simulated intruder than in control females. Furthermore, testosterone levels of control females were not elevated during the challenge, and were actually lower after the challenge than before it. Our study did not find any evidence that exogenous testosterone increases aggression in female Barred Buttonquails.