Mate choice is affected by parasite infestation rate of the choosing individual as well as of potential mating partners

ABSTRACT: Abstract Parasites are known to be a key driving force in mate choice and are important for the expression and evolution of ornaments and behavioral traits being used. However, there is little experimental evidence on how the parasite’s burden of the choosing individual is integrated into the mate-choice process and how it affects decision-making, especially in relation to parasite infestation of potential mates. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine whether female house sparrows Passer domesticus adjust their mate preference according to their own as well as the parasite load of prospective partners. To do this, we experimentally manipulated female parasite load and determined their mate preferences prior to and after parasite treatment. We manipulated the chronic coccidian parasite

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PROVIDER: S-EPMC10449416 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature