Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: We examined the preferences of female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from 11 localities in Trinidad with respect to male color-pattern elements, body shape and size, and overall color and brightness contrast. Females are on average more attracted to males from their own population than from alien populations, and populations appear to vary in the criteria used in female choice. Multiple-regression analysis suggests that mate-preference criteria vary among localities in intensity, sign, and the number of traits used. Although preference estimators and color-pattern parameters are unique to each population, only orange, black, and color contrast showed a correlation between degree of male trait and degree of preference for that trait. There is a clear effect of water color and a possible effect of predation intensity. The results are discussed in light of various models of sexual selection and the early stages of speciation.
Source: Evolution
Authors: John A. Endler, Anne E. Houde
Institutions: University of California, Santa Barbara, Lake Forest College
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2321247227