Moderately Elevated Glucocorticoids Increase Mate Choosiness But Do Not Affect Sexual Proceptivity Or Preferences In Female Gray Treefrogs

摘要: Abstract Glucocorticoids (GCs) are rarely studied in the context of female mate choice, despite expression receptors for these products sexual, sensory and decision-making brain areas. Here we investigated effects GC concentrations on three aspects sexual behavior breeding Cope's gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis): proceptivity—a measure motivation, intraspecific preferences, choosiness. To our knowledge this is first experimental study endocrine basis We predicted that choosiness—forfeiting an initial preference to pursue a suddenly more attractive mate—would be particularly impacted by elevated GCs with moderate levels associated greater found support inverted-U relationship. Females control group (no injection) showed no change choosiness across timepoints. In contrast, females vehicle, Low (20 ng g−1) High (180 ng g−1) corticosterone groups exhibited nominal decline after injection, suggesting experience injection has little or perhaps slightly suppressive dose (60 ng g−1), however, significant increase (>100%) Further, effect proceptivity species-typical longer calls. These findings may reflect buffering primary areas against GCs. The recruitment other cognitive processes during active decision-making, facilitate modulation choosiness, thereby promoting tactical plasticity at critical life history juncture.