Cryptic Female Preference for Colorful Males in Guppies

Abstract

Abstract. Cryptic female choice (CFC) refers to female-mediated processes occurring during or after copulation that result in biased sperm use in favor of preferred or compatible males. Despite recent empirical support for this hypothesis, evidence that CFC contributes towards the evolution of male body ornaments, in the same way that precopulatory female choice does, is currently lacking. Here, we tested the possibility that CFC selects for increased male attractiveness in the guppy Poecilia reticulata, a freshwater fish exhibiting internal fertilization. Specifically, we examined whether females are able to manipulate the number of sperm transferred or retained at copulation in favor of relatively attractive males. In support of this prediction, we found that following solicited copulations the number of sperm inseminated is influenced exclusively by the female's perception of relative male coloration, independent of any direct manipulation of males themselves. Because females prefer brightly colored males during precopulatory mate choice, our finding that colorful males are also favored as a consequence of enhanced insemination success indicates that cryptic female choice can reinforce precopulatory preferences for extravagant male ornaments.

Ovarian fluid of receptive females enhances sperm velocity

“…1 Means±SE of sperm velocity (micrometers per second) measured in the OF solution of receptive and of unreceptive females in the absence or presence of a stimulus male before OF collection male-deprived females sometimes respond to males even during the unreceptive phase (Magurran 2005;Pilastro and Bisazza 1999). Future studies should investigate the intriguing idea that OF could also be involved in mediating cryptic female choice for preferred males leading females to favour preferred males not only by allowing them to transfer more sperm (Pilastro et al 2004) but also favouring sperm storage and/or sperm performances inside the reproductive tract. In conclusion, we report the first evidence that ovarian fluid can influence sperm velocity according to the phase of sexual receptivity of the female, slowing down the velocity of sperm transferred during forced copulations in the unreceptive period, possibly reducing the reproductive value of those sperm.…”

Offspring sex ratio produced by female guppies in the wild correlates with sexual ornaments of their sons

“…Female guppies are able to bias paternity within broods in favor of particular males by controlling the amount of sperm received from each mate (Pilastro et al 2004(Pilastro et al , 2007 or the order of mating with males (Evans and Magurran 2000;Pitcher et al 2003). In addition, independent of female control, there are relationships between male phenotypes and sperm quality (Locatello et al 2006;Pitcher et al 2007).…”

“…It is a suitable model species for studying sexual selection, and pre-and postcopulatory mate choice by females has been intensively demonstrated in this species (Pilastro et al 2004(Pilastro et al , 2007Magurran 2005). For example, female guppies exhibit a precopulatory mate preference for males with large orange spots (Kodric-Brown 1985;Houde and Endler 1990;Karino and Shinjo 2004).…”

“…For example, female guppies exhibit a precopulatory mate preference for males with large orange spots (Kodric-Brown 1985;Houde and Endler 1990;Karino and Shinjo 2004). During copulation, females are able to manipulate a male's insemination success by receiving more sperm from males with large orange spots (Pilastro et al 2004(Pilastro et al , 2007. In addition, female guppies that mate with males having large orange spots produce broods with male-biased sex ratios (Karino and Sato 2009).…”

Comparison of Mating Behavior and Offspring Production Success of the Guppy,Poecilia reticulata,Stocked Under Different Operational Sex Ratios

“…The guppy is one of the most studied fish in the fields of sexual selection and mating tactics (Kadow 1954;Baerends, Brouwer & Waterbolk 1955;Liley 1966;Farr 1977;1980;Jirotkul 1999;2000;Pilastro & Bisazza 1999;Hughes et al 1999;Kelley, Graves & Magurran 1999;Brewster & Houde 2003;Becher & Magurran 2004;Eakley & Houde 2004;Pilastro et al 2004;Hibler 2006;Head & Brooks 2006;Price & Rodd 2006;Zajitschek, Evans & Brooks 2006;Magellan & Magurran 2007;Head, Lindholm & Brooks 2007). Most of these studies focused on recording the ecological factors and behavioral mechanisms that influence the outcome of sexual selection.…”