Mate choice in male Brachionus plicatilis rotifers

摘要: 1. Some proximate mechanisms that increase the probability of successful copulation are examined in Brachionus plicatilis Muller (Rotifera), a cyclical parthenogen. By means behavioural tests, an analysis was performed as to whether male choice exists concerning female age. Second, direct discrimination sexual (mictic) and parthenogenetic (amictic) females, on basis behaviour after encountering both kinds examined. 2. Results showed mating initiation decreases with age female, males copulate almost exclusively females less than 24-h old. Preference for also found initiation, but no preference copulating found. 3. As only young, fertilizable, these would enhance likelihood sexually receptive thus fitness. 4. A theoretical model shows surprisingly low degree can be adaptively explained relative frequency young mictic population when phase occurs.