Condition-dependent female preference for male genitalia length is based on male reproductive tactics

Abstract

There is extensive morphological variation of male genitalia across animals with internal fertilization, even among closely related species. Most studies attempting to explain this extraordinary diversity have focused on processes that occur post-copula (e.g. sperm competition, cryptic female choice). Only a few studies have focused on the pre-copula process of female preference. In addition, the extent to which this variation could be associated with the use of different reproductive tactics has yet to be explored. Here, we show that female preference for male genitalia length in two livebearing fishes depends on the type of reproductive tactic of the males being evaluated as well as the body condition of the female. In a species where all males coax females to acquire matings (courters), females preferred males with short genitalia. In a species with genetically influenced alternative reproductive tactics (courter males that only court and produce courter sons, sneaker males that use the coercive tactic of sneak chase and produce sneaker sons), female preference depended on an interaction between male tactic and female condition: females in good condition preferred courter males with short genitalia, and sneaker males with long genitalia. Our results suggest that female preference for male traits favourable to their sons may be an important factor contributing to the diversification of male genitalia. Despite the contrasting selection for genitalia length that our female preference tests suggest, we found no significant differences in genitalia length between coaxing (courters) and coercive (sneakers) males. Our study represents a starting point to more clearly understand the role of alternative reproductive tactics and variation in female mate preference in the evolution of male genitalia.

Within‐population variation in female mating preference affects the opportunity for sexual selection and the evolution of male traits, but things are not as simple as expected

“…Macario, Croft, Endler, & Dardena, 2017; Madden & Whiteside, 2013), food availability (e.g. Griggio & Hoi, 2010; Hernandez‐Jimenez & Rios‐Cardenas, 2017; Hunt, Brooks, & Jennions, 2005) and parasite load (e.g. Dakin & Montgomerie, 2014).…”

A Novel Body Plan Alters Diversification of Body Shape and Genitalia in Live-Bearing Fish

“…Although a number of studies have examined effects of gonopodium length and distal-tip elements on mating success in poeciliid fishes (Evans et al, 2011;Gasparini et al, 2011;Kwan et al, 2013;Devigili et al, 2015;Head et al, 2015Head et al, , 2017Hernandez-Jimenez and Rios-Cardenas, 2017;Chung et al, 2020), no prior study has investigated the relationship examined here. Our findings add to the evidence that complex selection surfaces may characterize insemination and fertilization success in Gambusia fishes (Devigili et al, 2015;Head et al, 2015) and suggest we still have much to learn.…”

The effect of individual state on the strength of mate choice in females and males

“…This resulted in 1230 promising studies, which were downloaded and read in order to test against my inclusion criteria. For this study, I successfully extracted data from 108 studies: 82 studies provided data for females ( Archard et al, 2006 ; Atwell & Wagner, 2014 ; Atwell & Wagner, 2015 ; Auld et al, 2016 ; Bakker et al, 1999 ; Bastien et al, 2018 ; Bolund et al, 2010a ; Bolund et al, 2010b ; Borg et al, 2006 ; Brandt et al, 2005 ; Buchholz, 2004 ; Burley & Foster, 2006 ; Burley & Moran, 1979 ; Carrière & McNeil, 1990 ; Chen et al, 2018 ; Choudhury & Black, 1993 ; Churchill et al, 2019 ; Cordoba-Aguilar et al, 2003 ; Dakin & Montgomerie, 2014 ; Farrell et al, 2015 ; Fisher & Rosenthal, 2006 ; Gray, 1999 ; Griggio & Hoi, 2010 ; Guevara-Fiore et al, 2010 ; Hamilton & Poulin, 1999 ; Havens et al, 2011 ; Head et al, 2017 ; Hernandez-Jimenez & Rios-Cardenas, 2017 ; Honarmand et al, 2015 ; Hopwood et al, 2016 ; Hunt et al, 2005 ; Iglesias-Carrasco et al, 2017 ; Jennions et al, 1995 ; Joyce et al, 2009 ; Judge et al, 2014 ; Klein et al, 2012 ; Kodric-Brown & Nicoletto, 2001 ; Krishna & Hegde, 2003 ; Lerch et al, 2011 ; Ligout et al, 2012 ; López, 1999 ; Luck & Joly, 2005 ; Lynch et al, 2005 ; Lyons et al, 2014 ; Magallon-Gayon et al, 2011 ; Mair & Blackwell, 1998 ; Maksimowich & Mathis, 2001 ; Manrique & Lazzari, 1994 ; Mazz...…”