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Results for “Mating Preference, Animal”

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PubMed2000

MHC-mediated fetal odourtypes expressed by pregnant females influence male associative behaviour.

Mice can recognize one another by individually characteristic phenotypic body odours (odourtypes) that reflect their genetic constitution at the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of genes on chromosome 17. We have shown previously that MHC-determined odours are produced by fetuses: house mice, Mus domesticus, can be trained to discriminate between genetically identical pregnant females carrying 9-18-day-old fetuses of differing MHC type. Theoretically, it should be possible for a mouse to determine the MHC type of the sire based on the odourtype of the pregnant female. In the current study we investigated whether untrained male mice show spontaneous discrimination between such pregnant mice. In experiment 1, sexually inexperienced male mice spent more time near pregnant females that carried fetuses most genetically different from the males themselves. Experiment 2, designed to evaluate possible experiential effects on this preference, tested males that were cohabiting and had impregnated a female that was either genetically identical to the test male (excepting X and Y chromosomes) or differed from him only at the MHC. Males in the former case performed virtually identically to those tested in experiment 1. In contrast males in the latter group did not display this preference. These studies reveal that among untrained male mice, fetal MHC type influences choice behaviour presumably via fetal odourtypes expressed in maternal secretions/excretions and that previous housing and/or mating experience modulates male choice. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Male chimpanzees prefer mating with old females.

Cross-cultural studies indicate that women's sexual attractiveness generally peaks before motherhood and declines with age. Cues of female youth are thought to be attractive because humans maintain long-term pair bonds, making reproductive value (i.e. future reproductive potential) particularly important to males. Menopause is believed to exaggerate this preference for youth by limiting women's future fertility. This theory predicts that in species lacking long-term pair bonds and menopause, males should not exhibit a preference for young mates. We tested this prediction by studying male preferences in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). We show that despite their promiscuous mating system, chimpanzee males, like humans, prefer some females over others. However, in contrast to humans, chimpanzee males prefer older, not younger, females. These data robustly discriminate patterns of male mate choice between humans and chimpanzees. Given that the human lineage evolved from a chimpanzee-like ancestor, they indicate that male preference for youth is a derived human feature, likely adapted from a tendency to form unusually long term mating bonds.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Subadult experience influences adult mate choice in an arthropod: exposed female wolf spiders prefer males of a familiar phenotype.

Current sexual selection theory proposes several potential mechanisms driving the evolution of female mating preferences, few of which involve social interactions. Although vertebrate examples of socially influenced mating preferences do exist, the invertebrate examples are virtually nonexistent. Here I demonstrate that the mating preferences of female wolf spiders can be acquired through exposure as subadults to unrelated, sexually active adult males. I first conducted exposure trials during which subadult females of the wolf spider Schizocosa uetzi were allowed to interact with mature males of an experimentally manipulated phenotype (either black or brown forelegs). After maturation, these previously exposed females were paired with a male of either a familiar or unfamiliar manipulated phenotype for mate-choice trials. Subadult females that were exposed to directed courtship by mature males of a particular morphological phenotype were subsequently more likely to mate with a male of a familiar phenotype as adults. Furthermore, females that were exposed as subadults were more likely, as adults, to cannibalize a courting male with an unfamiliar phenotype. Unexposed females did not distinguish between phenotypes in either mate choice or cannibalism frequency. These results suggest a previously uncharacterized mechanism influencing the origin of female mating preferences and ultimately the evolution of male traits: subadult experience. This study also stresses the potential importance of learning and memory on adult mate choice in an arthropod.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Influences of female partner preference on potential reproductive outcome in Japanese macaques.

The immediate effects of female partner preference on male mating behaviors and its potential influence on male reproductive success and conception in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) were analyzed. Although male dominance interactions probably led to low-ranking males having more single-day consortships and high-ranking males more multi-day consortships, dominant males were unable to prevent females from mating with preferred subordinate males. Ultimately, there was no marked difference in the number of estimated offspring sired. Females chose not to mate with certain males and actively mated with others, suggesting that female partner preferences do affect conception. Evidence for this was found in paternity estimates, which reflected observed preferences for particular middle-ranking young adult males.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Predator-induced nest site preference: safe nests allow courtship in sticklebacks.

Reproductive activities often increase the susceptibility of individuals to predators. Individuals may be able to reduce this risk of predation, however, by their choice of breeding habitat, as the structural complexity of habitats is known to affect predator foraging success. Here we show that the presence of predators induces a preference for structurally complex nest sites over open ones in male three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus. To investigate whether this predator-induced nest site preference can decrease the known negative effect of predators on courtship activity, we recorded the reduction in courtship activity during predator presentations for males in vegetated and open nest sites. Habitat structure affected the response to a predator when males were in competition. A male in a vegetated site reduced courtship activity less than a male in an open site. Habitat had no effect on courtship when males were solitary, however. This suggests that male-male competition and the possibility of losing mating opportunities to other males affect risk taking. Females, who were unaware of the predator, preferred the male in the vegetated site, which showed less reduction in courtship, when the males were exposed to a predator, but chose randomly between the males when the predator was absent. Thus, a preference for vegetated nest sites under predation risk may be beneficial not only by increasing the probability of survival, but also by reducing the negative impact of predators on courtship activity and mating probability. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Laboratory mating trials indicate incipient speciation by sexual selection among populations of the cichlid fish Pseudotropheus zebra from Lake Malawi.

It has been suggested that sexual selection may have played a major role in the rapid evolution of hundreds of species of cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi. We report the results of a laboratory test of assortative mating among Lake Malawi cichlid fishes from five closely related geographical populations differing in male courtship colour. Paternity of clutches was tested using microsatellite DNA typing of offspring. Out of 1955 offspring typed, 1296 (66.3%) were sired by the male from the same population as the female, which is more than three times the rate expected if females do not differentiate among males of the different populations (20%). This result indicates that mate preferences of geographical races are strongly differentiated, consistent with the races representing incipient geographical species diverging under sexual selection exerted by female preferences for different male courtship colours.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Carotenoid availability affects the development of a colour-based mate preference and the sensory bias to which it is genetically linked.

Regardless of their origins, mate preferences should, in theory, be shaped by their benefits in a mating context. Here we show that the female preference for carotenoid colouration in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) exhibits a phenotypically plastic response to carotenoid availability, confirming a key prediction of sexual selection theory. Earlier work indicated that this mate preference is genetically linked to, and may be derived from, a sensory bias that occurs in both sexes: attraction to orange objects. The original function of this sensory bias is unknown, but it may help guppies find orange-coloured fruits in the rainforest streams of Trinidad. We show that the sensory bias also exhibits a phenotypically plastic response to carotenoid availability, but only in females. The sex-specificity of this reaction norm argues against the hypothesis that it evolved in a foraging context. We infer instead that the sensory bias has been modified as a correlated effect of selection on the mate preference. These results provide a new type of support for the hypothesis that mate preferences for sexual characters evolve in response to the benefits of mate choice--the alternatives being that such preferences evolve entirely in a non-mating context or in response to the costs of mating.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1992

Behavioral coupling in tettigoniid hybrids (Orthoptera).

Studies of the mating behavior of male and female F1 hybrids between closely related taxa can provide information concerning the genetic control of characters that play a major role in speciation. Orthoptera have been used previously for such studies. Hybrid crickets show behaviors which are broadly intermediate to the parentals but hybrid grasshoppers may retain parental behavior patterns. This study examines the behavior of hybrid Ephippiger ephippiger bushcrickets, the third major orthopteran group. The differences in male song and female preference are probably both mainly additive and male song differences not sex linked. Thus, given a choice, hybrid females would prefer to mate with hybrid males, an example of "behavioral coupling." The evolutionary inferences which can be drawn from studies of F1 hybrids between closely related taxa are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Female swallow preference for symmetrical male sexual ornaments.

Many secondary sexual characters are supposed to have evolved as a response to female choice of the most extravagantly ornamented males, a hypothesis supported by studies demonstrating female preferences for the most ornamented males. Comparative studies of elaborate feather ornaments in birds have shown that (1) ornaments have larger degrees of fluctuating asymmetry (small, random deviations from bilateral symmetry caused by an inability of individuals to cope with environmental and genetic stress during development of a character) than other morphological traits, and (2) the degree of fluctuating asymmetry is often negatively related to the size of the ornament. The negative relationship between ornament asymmetry and size suggests that ornament size reliably reflects male quality because the largest secondary sex traits demonstrate the least degree of fluctuating asymmetry. I manipulated tail length and tail asymmetry independently in male swallows (Hirundo rustica) to determine whether ornament size or asymmetry were used as cues in mate choice. Male swallows with elongated, symmetric tails mated earlier, and enjoyed larger annual reproductive success than did males with shortened tails and increased asymmetry. Females therefore prefer large as well as symmetric ornaments, which suggests that females in their mate choice use ornament asymmetry and size as reliable indicators of male quality.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

Immunocompetence, ornamentation, and viability of male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica).

Immunocompetence (i.e., the ability to produce an immune response to pathogens) can be predicted to influence the chances that organisms have to survive and reproduce. In this study we simulated a challenge to the immune systems of male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) by injecting them intraperitoneally with a multigenic antigen, sheep red blood cells, and we analyzed long-term survival in relation to their immunocompetence. Males were assigned to four groups that differed for the treatment of the length of the outermost tail feathers, a sexually dimorphic ornamental character that is currently under directional sexual selection. Immunocompetence was measured as change of concentration of gamma globulins relative to plasma proteins. The intensity of the immune response was independent of age. Males that showed the highest short-term response to sheep red blood cells were more likely to survive until the breeding season following that in which they had been inoculated, a pattern consistently observed within each experimental group. Males with comparatively long tails were more likely to survive than those with short tails. To our knowledge, the results of this study are the first to demonstrate that immunocompetence can predict long-term survival in a free-ranging vertebrate. Moreover, they are compatible with current models of parasite-mediated sexual selection because long-tailed males are more immunocompetent than short-tailed ones, and females, by preferring to mate with the most ornamented males, may acquire the "good genes" for high immunocompetence and, hence, for high viability of their offspring.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Genetic benefits of a female mating preference in gray tree frogs are context-dependent.

"Good genes" models of sexual selection predict that male courtship displays can advertise genetic quality and that, by mating with males with extreme displays, females can obtain genetic benefits for their offspring. However, because the relative performance of different genotypes can vary across environments, these genetic benefits may depend on the environmental context; in which case, static mating preferences may not be adaptive. To better understand how selection acts on the preference that female gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) express for long advertisement calls, I tested for genetic benefits in two realistic natural environments, by comparing the performance of half-sibling offspring sired by males with long versus short calls. Tadpoles from twelve such maternal half-sibships were raised in enclosures in their natal pond at two densities. In the low-density treatment, offspring of long-call males were larger at metamorphosis than were offspring of short-call males, whereas in the high-density treatment, offspring of males with long calls tended to metamorphose later than offspring of males with short calls. Thus, although the genes indicated by long calls were advantageous under low-density conditions, they were not beneficial under all conditions, suggesting that a static preference for long calls may not be adaptive in all environments. Such a genotype-by-environment interaction in the genetic consequences of mate choice predicts that when the environment is variable, selection may favor plasticity in female preferences or female selectivity among environments to control the conditions experienced by the offspring.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The role of the dorsolateral tegmentum in the control of male sexual behavior: a reevaluation.

The medial preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (MPOA/AH) plays a key role in the control of male sexual behavior. Independently of the type, MPOA/AH lesions permanently eliminate male sexual behavior in the rat. The MPOA/AH projects among other structures to the dorsolateral tegmentum (DLT). Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the DLT or the unilateral electrolytic destruction of the MPOA/HA combined with a contralateral electrolytic lesion of the DLT eliminate male sexual behavior. In the present experiment, we evaluated if neurotoxic lesions of the DLT produce the same behavioral deficits as those observed after electrolytic lesions. This would allow us to evaluate if neurons of the DLT or the fibers passing through this area are important in the control of male sexual behavior. To this aim, sexually experience male rats were tested for socio-sexual behavior, partner preference and motor execution in order to determine if the possible behavioral changes could be attributed to alterations in sexual motivation or motor execution. One week after the bilateral DLT lesions the animals were evaluated in the same behavioral tests. The lesions were identified by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuronal nuclear protein (Neu-N) immunohistochemistry. No significant consistent effects upon sexual behavior were observed in any of the groups, including the group with clear bilateral damage of the DLT. A reduction in the percentage of males displaying ejaculation in the first post-lesion test was observed for all groups injected with quinolinic acid. No effects upon partner preference or motor coordination were observed after the lesion in any of the groups. The lack of effect of DLT neurotoxic lesions upon mating suggests that neurons of this structure are not involved in the control of male sexual behavior.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1998

A test of sensory bias for long tails in the house finch.

The sensory bias model of sexual selection proposes that female preferences for certain male traits result from biases in the female sensory system that existed prior to the evolution of the preferred trait. Phylogenetic tests of the sensory bias hypothesis have provided evidence for pre-existing bias in several species, but the hypothesis has not been tested relative to elongated tail feathers, a widespread sexually selected trait in birds. Elongated tails occur sporadically across avian taxa, including cardueline finches (family Fringillidae), suggesting that long tails evolved independently in many lineages. To determine whether a female preference for longer tails predated the evolution of long tails in cardueline finches, we tested female preferences for artificially lengthened tail feathers in male house finches, Carpodacus mexicanus. The house finch is a cardueline finch species with a tail that does not appear to be elongated or sexually selected. In mate choice experiments, females did not demonstrate a preference for lengthened tails over controls. This negative result fails to support the hypothesis that elongation of tail feathers resulted from exploitation of a widespread sensory bias. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1986

Female discrimination of male dominance by urine odor cues in hamsters.

Female hamsters have been found to differentially respond to the odors of dominant as opposed to subordinate males. This study reexamined these responses in an olfactometer allowing the females to choose between urinary odors obtained from males differing in dominance status and clean air source. The behavior of the estrous females was consistent with previous research which indicated that such females exhibit a preference for stimuli obtained from dominant males. Contrary to previous findings in a two-choice apparatus, diestrous females failed to prefer the odors of subordinates. These females spent significantly more time in the area infused with unscented air. These data emphasize the importance of odor cues as they relate to male attractivity and possibly mate choice. They also underscore the need to allow animals to avoid conspecific odors in order to reduce the possibility of forcing animals into an unrealistic choice situation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Agro-economic impact of cattle cloning.

The purpose of this paper is to review the economic and social implications of cloned cattle, their products, and their offspring as related to production agriculture. Cloning technology in cattle has several applications outside of traditional production agriculture. These applications can include bio-medical applications, such as the production of pharmaceuticals in the blood or milk of transgenic cattle. Cloning may also be useful in the production of research models. These models may or may not include genetic modifications. Uses in agriculture include many applications of the technology. These include making genetic copies of elite seed stock and prize winning show cattle. Other purposes may range from "insurance" to making copies of cattle that have sentimental value, similar to cloning of pets. Increased selection opportunities available with cloning may provide for improvement in genetic gain. The ultimate goal of cloning has often been envisioned as a system for producing quantity and uniformity of the perfect dairy cow. However, only if heritability were 100%, would clone mates have complete uniformity. Changes in the environment may have significant impact on the productivity and longevity of the resulting clones. Changes in consumer preferences and economic input costs may all change the definition of the perfect cow. The cost of producing such animals via cloning must be economically feasible to meet the intended applications. Present inefficiencies limit cloning opportunities to highly valued animals. Improvements are necessary to move the applications toward commercial application. Cloning has additional obstacles to conquer. Social and regulatory acceptance of cloning is paramount to its utilization in production agriculture. Regulatory acceptance will need to address the animal, its products, and its offspring. In summary, cloning is another tool in the animal biotechnology toolbox, which includes artificial insemination, sexing of semen, embryo sexing and in vitro fertilization. While it will not replace any of the above mentioned, its degree of utilization will depend on both improvement in efficiency as well as social and regulatory acceptance.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The medial amygdala controls the coital access of female rats: a possible involvement of emotional responsiveness.

Partner preference and paced mating tests were accomplished in ovariectomized female rats following bilateral radiofrequency lesions in the medial amygdala. Open field behavior and passive avoidance learning were also examined to investigate the underlying behavioral mechanism. Partner preference was determined in a chamber located between castrated and sexually active males. Airborne olfactory cues were presented to the female through small holes on the partition. The lesion diminished preference for the odor of sexually active males over that of castrated males, even after injection with a high-dose of estrogen. On the other hand, in a paced mating test the lesioned females without estrogen treatment showed a significantly shorter latency for entering the male's compartment in a two-compartment apparatus, which allowed the females, but not the males, to cross the barrier through a narrow opening at the bottom. However, an administration of estrogen and progesterone reduced the effect. The lesion had no effect on emotionality or exploratory behavior in an open field test, but it impaired passive avoidance learning capability. We suggest that a male poses an inherent threat to a female. The seemingly incompatible results of partner preference and paced mating tests can be compromised if the male is inherently aversive to the female; this emotional response can be removed by the medial amygdala lesion.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1980

The handedness of rhesus monkeys. III. Consistency within and across activities.

The results of this study of the hand preferences of rhesus monkeys on three different tasks are threefold: (1) When retested on the same task at intervals exceeding one month virtually all individuals prefer the same hand as they did during the original test, (2) When retested on the same task, the strength of hand preference displayed by each individual is increased. (3) When tested on differing tasks, monkeys display little consistency in the laterality of hand preference or the strength of handedness expressed during different tasks. Many authors have concluded that the lack of obvious intertask consistency in the laterality of hand preference expressed by lower primates constitutes evidence for a corresponding lack of consistent laterality in the cerebral control of this behavior. This has led to them to conclude that cerebral dominance probably does not exist in these animals (Deuel, 1975; Warren, 1977). However, where data is available from the literature, including the present study, all reports show monkeys to more frequently prefer the same hand on all of the unimanual tasks they were given than would be expected by chance alone. This finding suggests that there is a weak tendency for consistent lateralization of hand usage in the monkey. Presumably, there is a corresponding predominance of the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the preferred hand over its mate. Other studies consistent with the concept of cerebral predominance in the monkey were reviewed. These findings do not constitute evidence for cerebral dominance in the monkey akin to that found in man. They do suggest that when performing certain activities, monkeys may have one hemisphere predominant over the other even though the degree and laterality of predominance may vary greatly from one individual and task to another.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Sexual selection and the evolution of exclusive paternal care in arthropods.

Internal fertilization and anisogamy are thought to impede the evolution of exclusive paternal care by reducing paternity assurance and increasing male promiscuity. The potential role of sexual selection in easing these constraints is currently being examined in vertebrates but has not been seriously studied in most arthropods. To distinguish the effects of sexual from natural selection on the evolution of arthropod paternal care, I tested predictions of the state of several life history and behavioural traits under both forms of selection across all known taxa with exclusive paternal care. The results suggest parallels between prezygotic nuptial gifts and exclusive postzygotic paternal care and support the hypothesis that, in arthropods, male behaviours that enhance female reproductive success either directly by releasing females from the fecundity constraints of maternal care (enhanced fecundity hypothesis) or indirectly by identifying mates with superior genes (handicap principle) are traits on which sexual selection has acted. Under such conditions males willing to guard young become preferred mates for gravid females and enjoy greater promiscuity than males unable or unwilling to guard. Females use nest construction or the act of guarding another female's eggs as honest signals of paternal intent and quality. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗