Possible decision-making preadaptations in the molly Poecilia sphenops

Gould, James L.; Zabka, Tanja S.; Malizia, Robert W.; Park, Albert; Mukerji, Joya

doi:10.1007/s100710050028

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…Hence, there appears to be little opportunity for female choice in A. fasciatus. However, female mating preferences have even been described for species with clearly male-biased, coercive mating systems (e.g., Poeciliidae; P. sphenops: Gould et al, 1999;Gambusia holbrooki: Bisazza & Pilastro, 2000;Bisazza et al, 2001;P. mexicana: Plath et al, 2004P.…”

Section: Association Preferences and The Mating System Of A Fasciatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female mating preferences in blind cave tetras Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae, Teleostei)

Plath¹,

Rohde²,

Schröder³

et al. 2006

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The Mexican tetra Astyanax fasciatus has evolved a variety of more or less color-and eyeless cave populations. Here we examined the evolution of the female preference for large male body size within different populations of this species, either surface-or cave-dwelling. Given the choice between visual cues from a large and a small male, females from the surface form as well as females from an eyed cave form showed a strong preference for large males. When only non-visual cues were presented in darkness, the surface females did not prefer either males. Among the six cave populations studied, females of the eyed cave form and females of one of the five eyeless cave populations showed a preference for large males. Apparently, not all cave populations of Astyanax have evolved non-visual mating preferences. We discuss the role of selection by benefits of non-visual mate choice for the evolution of non-visual mating preferences.

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Section: Association Preferences and The Mating System Of A Fasciatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female mating preferences in blind cave tetras Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae, Teleostei)

Plath¹,

Rohde²,

Schröder³

et al. 2006

Behav

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Female choice linked to male dorsal fin height in a shortfin molly

Jordan

Howe

Knight

et al. 2006

J Ethol

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Sexual selection is a possible mechanism of speciation. This could be true even in systems where female mate choice has not been clearly observed, because pre-existing biases may be expressed if female decision-making results in male trait evolution. In some mollies, males have enlarged dorsal fins and courtship display is the prevailing mating process. In others, male dominance is thought to play a greater role. We tested females of a species in the latter group, Poecilia mexicana, for consistent preference related to dorsal fin morphology. We found that females were biased toward larger dorsal fins. This latent preference could be an important driver in trait evolution.

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