Male Sexual Preference for Female Swimming Activity in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

ABSTRACT: Mate choice that is based on behavioural traits is a common feature in the animal kingdom. Using the Trinidadian guppy, a species with mutual mate choice, we investigated whether males use female swimming activity-a behavioural trait known to differ consistently among individuals in many species-as a trait relevant for their mate choice. In the first experiment, we assessed male and female activity in an open field test alone (two repeated measures) and afterwards in heterosexual pairs (two repeated measures). In these pairs, we simultaneously assessed males' mating efforts by counting the number of sexual behaviours (courtship displays and copulations). Male and female guppies showed consistent individual differences in their swimming activity when tested both alone and in a pair, and the

SUBMITTER: Bierbach D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7918064 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature