Flexible mate choice when mates are rare and time is short

Tinghitella, Robin M.; Weigel, Emily; Head, Megan L.; Boughman, Janette W.

doi:10.1002/ece3.666

Cited by 51 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…We never paired a male with the same female twice. Similar to previous work, we allowed males and females to rest for at least 2 hr between mating trials (Kozak, Head, Lackey, & Boughman, 2013; Tinghitella et al., 2013). Following each mating trial, we photographed males and females with a Canon Powershot G15 under standardized conditions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between male sexual signals, cognitive performance, and mating success in stickleback fish

Minter

Keagy

Tinghitella

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Cognitive ability varies dramatically among individuals, yet the manner in which this variation correlates with reproduction has rarely been investigated. Here, we ask (1) do male sexual signals reflect their cognitive ability, and (2) is cognitive ability associated with male mating success? Specifically, we presented threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) with a detour‐reaching task to assess initial inhibitory control. Fish that performed better were those who solved the detour‐reaching task, solved it faster, and required fewer attempts to solve. We then reexamined males’ performance on this task over several days to assess learning ability in this context. We next measured sexual signals (coloration, nest area, and courtship vigor) and asked whether they reveal information about these male cognitive abilities. Finally, we examined whether success at attracting a female is associated with male cognition. After controlling for the strong effect of neophobia, we found that no measured sexual signals were associated with initial inhibitory control. Sexual signals were also not associated with change in performance on the detour‐reaching task over time (learning). However, females preferred mating with males who had better initial inhibitory control. We speculate that inhibitory control is a critical trait for male sticklebacks. In this system, males perform all parental care, but must avoid eating their own fry which closely resemble their prey items. Therefore, males with better inhibitory control may be more likely to successfully raise their offspring to independence. Our research adds to a growing list of mating systems and taxa in which cognition is important for measures related to fitness.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between male sexual signals, cognitive performance, and mating success in stickleback fish

Minter

Keagy

Tinghitella

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Results from studies across a variety of taxa demonstrate variation in mating preferences based on the availability of potential mates. Females have been shown to be more selective (i.e., choose high-quality males vs low-quality mates) when male densities are high (e.g., Berglund 1995;Bonduriansky 2001;Kokko and Rankin 2006) or when OSRs are male-biased (e.g., Berglund 1994;Souroukis and Murray 1995;Baslhine-Earn 1996;Jirotkul 1999;Tinghitella et al 2013). When male densities are low or when OSRs are female-biased, females are predicted to be less selective in order to avoid missing opportunities to mate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

The effects of social experience with varying male availability on female mate preferences in a wolf spider

Stoffer

Uetz

2015

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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While female preferences may vary depending on population-level differences in density or sex ratio, factors affecting mate choice may act at the individual level, i.e., females may encounter males with varying frequency or encounter multiple males simultaneously. The Bsocially cued anticipatory plasticity^hypothesis suggests that females may bias mate preferences based on prior experience. In the wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata, males typically mature before females, allowing females to experience male courtship before maturation. Using video playback, we simulated differences in the encounter rate and the number of males simultaneously encountered to examine effects on female preference for a secondary sexual character (foreleg tufts). Penultimate females were exposed to video playback of zero, one, or three courting males either once every 2 days (low encounter rate) or twice per day (high encounter rate). At adulthood (week 2 post-maturity), females were presented video playback of courting males with small or large tufts to test for preferences in no-choice and two-choice designs. In two-choice (but not no-choice) presentations, female receptivity varied significantly with treatment. Females exposed to three males simultaneously at a higher encounter rate during their penultimate stage exhibited greater receptivity to large-tufted than smalltufted males as adults. Subsequent analyses revealed that females were more selective as adults if they encountered cumulatively more males during their penultimate stage, which was a repeatable trend when re-testing some individuals 3 weeks later. This study adds to the growing literature that demonstrates that invertebrates exhibit plasticity in mating preferences depending on social experience.

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“…Color measurements were taken by eye while fish were in the competition trial tanks using a standardized color scoring method (Boughman 2001(Boughman , 2007Lewandowski and Boughman 2008;Lackey and Boughman 2013;Tinghitella et al 2013) that closely matches reflectance data (Albert et al 2007;Boughman 2007). Color measurements were taken twice per replicate, once each in full-spectrum and red-shifted light, following their respective 24-h acclimation periods (see below).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Female preference for red throat color is well established in three-spine sticklebacks, including in ancestral marine groups (Ter Pelkwijk and Tinbergen 1937;Bakker 1990, 1992;Bakker and Milinski 1991;Baube et al 1995;McKinnon 1995;Rowland et al 1995;Tinghitella et al 2013). In addition to its mate choice role, red throat coloration is important in male competition for territories (e.g., Bakker and Sevenster 1983).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolutionary loss of a badge of status alters male competition in three-spine stickleback

Tinghitella¹,

Lehto²,

Minter³

2015

Behavioral Ecology

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The evolutionary loss of sexual signals is taxonomically widespread and quite common. These signals are often important not only in mate choice but also in male competition for territories and females; yet, male competition has rarely been investigated in the context of signal loss. We asked whether the loss of red throat color in three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), an ancestral signal important in both male competition and mate choice, is accompanied by changes to intrasexual selection. Several freshwater stickleback populations have lost the red throat, and instead develop black breeding coloration. Previous work demonstrated that sensory drive is likely responsible. We conducted trials that mimic contact between ancestral (red) and derived (black) types during territory and nest establishment under conditions mimicking the 2 water color environments (clear and red-shifted, respectively) where they are found. We found that the allocation of competition behaviors depends on male breeding color, but not water color or the interaction of the 2. Although the total number of aggressive behaviors did not vary between color types, black males directed more aggression toward red males. Assessing each male competition behavior separately revealed that this pattern was largely driven by black fish biasing "charges" toward opposite type males. Agonistic behavior between types may strengthen divergence in resource or habitat use between populations of males with and without the ancestral sexual signal.

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Flexible mate choice when mates are rare and time is short

Cited by 51 publications

References 79 publications

The relationship between male sexual signals, cognitive performance, and mating success in stickleback fish

The relationship between male sexual signals, cognitive performance, and mating success in stickleback fish

The effects of social experience with varying male availability on female mate preferences in a wolf spider

The evolutionary loss of a badge of status alters male competition in three-spine stickleback

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