Male coloration affects female gestation period and timing of fertilization in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

ABSTRACT: The trade-up hypothesis is a female behavioral strategy related to mating with multiple males. In this hypothesis, females can produce high-quality offspring while avoiding the risk of losing reproductive opportunities by non-selective mating with males at first mating and then re-mating with more attractive males. As an internal mechanism to realize this behavioral strategy, we predicted that females would immediately fertilize their eggs when they mated with attractive males, whereas females would delay fertilization when they mated with unattractive males to trade-up sires of offspring. The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is an ovoviviparous fish with internal fertilization, and females show a clear mate preference based on the area of orange coloration on the bodies of males. In addition,

SUBMITTER: Sato A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8639057 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature