The effects of familiarity and group size on mating preferences in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata.

摘要: In recent years, it has become evident that frequency dependence in the attractiveness of a particular phenotype to mates can contribute maintenance polymorphism. However, these preferences for rare and unfamiliar male phenotypes have only been demonstrated small, controlled experiments. Here, we tested preference groups six 96 individuals over 13 days, guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We observed individual behaviour situ test whether fish discriminate two among many familiar ones. found males females were preferred fishes all this effect decayed time. Increasing group sizes levels sexual activity did not hamper mates, providing further support role dependent mate choice trait polymorphism natural populations.