Sexually asymmetric colour-based species discrimination in orangethroat darters

摘要: Female mate preferences, male preferences and male–male competition can all potentially play roles in promoting speciation by sexual selection. The orangethroat darter, Etheostoma spectabile, is a sexually dichromatic fish which males compete for access to females. We quantified female responses conspecific versus heterospecific under normal light, dim light blue the last of impaired colour perception. found that behavioural isolation was likely mediated primarily discrimination against fish, with females showing no evident preferences. Furthermore, aggression towards rivals reduced suggesting evolution coloration may contribute through interactions.