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Rossi N, Chiaraviglio M, Cardozo G. Behavioural plasticity in activity and sexual interactions in a social lizard at high environmental temperatures. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285656. [PMID: 37494328 PMCID: PMC10370740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection often shapes social behavioural activities, such as movement in the environment to find possible partners, performance of displays to signal dominance and courtship behaviours. Such activities may be negatively influenced by increasing temperatures, especially in ectotherms, because individuals either have to withstand the unfavourable condition or are forced to allocate more time to thermoregulation by increasing shelter seeking behaviour. Thus, they "miss" opportunities for social and reproductive interactions. Moreover, behavioural displays of ectotherms closely depend on temperature; consequently, mate choice behaviours may be disrupted, ultimately modifying sexual selection patterns. Therefore, it would be interesting to elucidate how increasing temperatures associated with global warming may influence activity and social interactions in the species' natural habitat and, specifically how high temperatures may modify intersexual interactions. Consequently, our aim was to explore differences in the daily pattern of social interactions in an ectotherm model, Tropidurus spinulosus, in two thermally different habitats and to determine how high temperatures modify mate choice. High environmental temperatures were found to be associated with a bimodal pattern in daily activity, which was closely linked to the daily variations in the thermal quality of the habitat; whereas the pattern and frequency of social displays showed less plasticity. The time allocated to mate choice generally decreased with increasing temperature since individuals increased the use of thermal refuges; this result supports the hypothesis of "missed opportunities". Moreover, at high temperatures, both sexes showed changes in mate selection dynamics, with females possibly "rushing" mate choice and males showing an increase in intermale variability of reproductive displays. In our ectotherm model, plastic adjustments in the behavioural activity pattern induced by high temperatures, plus the modification of the displays during courtship may ultimately modify mate choice patterns and sexual selection dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Rossi
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Margarita Chiaraviglio
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Cardozo
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
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Lau SL, Williams GA, Carvajal-Rodríguez A, Rolán-Alvarez E. An integrated approach to infer the mechanisms of mate choice for size. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Soudry O, Kaira H, Parsa S, Mendelson T. Male rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) prefer larger conspecific females. Behav Processes 2019; 170:104013. [PMID: 31751600 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.104013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Female mate choice is a well studied mechanism of sexual selection that can affect the evolution of male secondary sexual traits. However, males also exhibit selective mate choice in some animals, which can affect the evolution of female phenotypes. We tested for evidence of intraspecific male mate choice in the Rainbow Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma caeruleum). Males of numerous darter species have been shown to prefer conspecific over heterospecific females; however, intraspecific preferences in males have not yet been demonstrated in this genus. This study investigated male preference for indicators of female fecundity, specifically female size. We found that male Rainbow Darters prefer larger females, both in dichotomous choice tests, when access between individuals was prevented, and in unrestricted behavioral tests with full access to females. Notably, however, the dichotomous trials were not repeatable; males only displayed a significant preference for larger females in the first dichotomous trial and in the unrestricted trial. We discuss our results in light of experimental methods and the role of male mate choice in sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Soudry
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Hatib Kaira
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Shabnam Parsa
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Tamra Mendelson
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
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Lüdtke DU, Foerster K. Choosy males court both large, colourful females and less colourful but responsive females for longer. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Goubault M, Burlaud R. Do males choose their mates in the lekking moth Achroia grisella? Influence of female body mass and male reproductive status on male mate choice. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:861-868. [PMID: 28432814 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lekking males aggregate to attract females and contribute solely to egg fertilization, without any further parental care. Evolutionary theory therefore predicts them to be nonchoosy toward their mates, because any lost mating opportunities would outweigh the benefits associated with such preferences. Nevertheless, due to time costs, the production of energetically costly sexual displays, and potential sperm limitation, the mating effort of lekking males is often considerable. These factors, combined with the fact that many females of varying quality are likely to visit leks, could favor the evolution of male mate preferences. Here, we show that males of the lekking lesser wax moth, Achroia grisella, were indeed more likely to mate with heavier females in choice experiments, even at their virgin mating (i.e., when their reproductive resources have not yet been depleted by previous matings). This differential female mating success could not be attributed to female behavior as heavy and light females showed similar motivation to mate (i.e., latency to approach the males) and time to copulate. Males seem to benefit from mating with heavier females, as fecundity positively correlated with female mass. This new empirical evidence shows that male mate choice may have been underestimated in lekking species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlène Goubault
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France
| | - Rebecca Burlaud
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France
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Fortin M, Debenest C, Souty‐Grosset C, Richard F. Males prefer virgin females, even if parasitized, in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3341-3353. [PMID: 29607029 PMCID: PMC5869267 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In many species, males increase their reproductive success by choosing high-quality females. In natural populations, they interact with both virgin and mated females, which can store sperm in their spermatheca. Therefore, males elaborate strategies to avoid sperm competition. In the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, females can store sperm and produce several clutches. Moreover, this species can be parasitized by Wolbachia, which feminizes genetic males, transforming them into functional females. Our study compared attractiveness and mate choice when a male is exposed to both virgin and experienced females (i.e., females who have produced offspring and rested for 6 months), with or without Wolbachia. Our results revealed that males are more attracted to virgin females than experienced females, even if these virgin females are parasitized. Moreover, the chemical analysis highlighted different odors in females according to their reproductive and infection (Wolbachia-free or vertically Wolbachia-infected) status. Males attempted copulation more frequently and for longer with virgin females, even if Wolbachia-infected, while experienced females refused further copulation. The evolutionary consequences of both male choice and female resistance on their fitness are discussed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Fortin
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des InteractionsEquipe “Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose”Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267PoitiersFrance
| | - Catherine Debenest
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des InteractionsEquipe “Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose”Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267PoitiersFrance
| | - Catherine Souty‐Grosset
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des InteractionsEquipe “Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose”Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267PoitiersFrance
| | - Freddie‐Jeanne Richard
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des InteractionsEquipe “Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose”Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267PoitiersFrance
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Shahandeh MP, Pischedda A, Turner TL. Male mate choice via cuticular hydrocarbon pheromones drives reproductive isolation between Drosophila species. Evolution 2018; 72:123-135. [PMID: 29098691 PMCID: PMC5760347 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Mate discrimination is a key mechanism restricting gene flow between species. While studied extensively with respect to female mate choice, mechanisms of male mate choice between species are far less studied. Thus, we have little knowledge of the relative frequency, importance, or overall contribution of male mate discrimination to reproductive isolation. In the present study, we estimated the relative contributions of male and female choice to reproductive isolation between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia, and show that male mate discrimination accounts for the majority of the current isolation between these species. We further demonstrate that males discriminate based on female cuticular hydrocarbon pheromones, and collect evidence supporting the hypothesis that male mate discrimination may alleviate the costs associated with heterospecific courtship and mating. Our findings highlight the potentially significant contribution of male mate choice to the formation of reproductive isolating barriers, and thus the speciation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Shahandeh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara
| | - Alison Pischedda
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York NY 10027
| | - Thomas L. Turner
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara
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Fernández‐Meirama M, Estévez D, Ng TPT, Williams GA, Carvajal‐Rodríguez A, Rolán‐Alvarez E. A novel method for estimating the strength of positive mating preference by similarity in the wild. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:2883-2893. [PMID: 28479989 PMCID: PMC5415541 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mating preference can be a driver of sexual selection and assortative mating and is, therefore, a key element in evolutionary dynamics. Positive mating preference by similarity is the tendency for the choosy individual to select a mate which possesses a similar variant of a trait. Such preference can be modelled using Gaussian‐like mathematical functions that describe the strength of preference, but such functions cannot be applied to empirical data collected from the field. As a result, traditionally, mating preference is indirectly estimated by the degree of assortative mating (using Pearson's correlation coefficient, r) in wild captured mating pairs. Unfortunately, r and similar coefficients are often biased due to the fact that different variants of a given trait are nonrandomly distributed in the wild, and pooling of mating pairs from such heterogeneous samples may lead to “false–positive” results, termed “the scale‐of‐choice effect” (SCE). Here we provide two new estimators of mating preference (Crough and Cscaled) derived from Gaussian‐like functions which can be applied to empirical data. Computer simulations demonstrated that r coefficient showed robust estimations properties of mating preference but it was severely affected by SCE, Crough showed reasonable estimation properties and it was little affected by SCE, while Cscaled showed the best properties at infinite sample sizes and it was not affected by SCE but failed at biological sample sizes. We recommend using Crough combined with the r coefficient to infer mating preference in future empirical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Fernández‐Meirama
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e InmunologíaFacultad de BiologíaUniversidad de VigoVigoSpain
| | - Daniel Estévez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e InmunologíaFacultad de BiologíaUniversidad de VigoVigoSpain
| | - Terence P. T. Ng
- School of Biological SciencesThe Swire Institute of Marine ScienceThe University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Gray A. Williams
- School of Biological SciencesThe Swire Institute of Marine ScienceThe University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | | | - Emilio Rolán‐Alvarez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e InmunologíaFacultad de BiologíaUniversidad de VigoVigoSpain
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Archer CR, Hosken DJ. Peacock flies. Curr Biol 2016; 26:R1124-R1126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Yasuda CI, Koga T. Importance of weapon size in all stages of male–male contests in the hermit crab Pagurus minutus. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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