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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
In most species females do not exhibit conspicuous
sexual behaviours and female mate preferences
are often measured by means of the time spent close to
males. In spite of its widespread use, in only a few studies
has this measure been validated as a reliable indicator of
female mate preference. Sex-role-reversed species offer a
better opportunity to test female preferences, as females
usually court males. We tested in a sex-role-reversed
population of the blenny Salaria pavo (Risso) if the time
spent by females close to males related to the number of
courtship displays directed towards males, and whether
these measures of female preference reliably predicted
matings. Females were simultaneously presented with two
males behind a glass partition and the time spent close to
each male was measured. We then allowed females to
have access to the males’ compartments and measured the
courtship behaviours performed by females towards each
male and recorded with which of the males females
spawned. Females spent more time close to the male that
subsequently received more courtship displays, and the
preferred male had a more developed head crest. However,
both measures of female preference failed to predict
matings. Females were often attacked by males and
probably had, in some occasions, to spawn with the less
preferred male. Females that spawned with the previously
preferred male had more swollen bellies than females that
spawned with the less preferred male, suggesting a male
preference towards more ripe females. These results
validate the use of “time spent close to a sexual partner”
as a measure of female preference in S. pavo. We argue
that matings may not always reliably indicate mate
preferences, particularly in the less choosy sex.
Description
Keywords
Female preference Mate choice Sexual selection Sex-role reversed Salaria pavo
Citation
Acta Ethologica, 6, 1-5
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada