Variation in male sailfin molly, preference for female size: does sympatry with sexual parasites, drive preference for smaller conspecifics

Male sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) are sexually parasitized by gynogenetic Amazon mollies (Poecilia formosa). In areas of sympatry, Amazon mollies are frequently larger than female sailfin mollies. In sympatry, selection may favor males that prefer smaller conspecific mates (avoid mismating w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral ecology and sociobiology 2010-04, Vol.64 (5), p.783-792
Main Authors: Gabor, Caitlin R, Gonzalez, Rosalinda, Parmley, Michelle, Aspbury, Andrea S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allopatric species
Animal Ecology
Animal populations
Animal reproduction
Aquatic ecology
Behavioral Sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Body size
Conspecifics
Evolution
Fecundity
Female animals
Fish
Life Sciences
Male animals
Males
Mating behavior
Original Paper
Parasites
Poecilia formosa
Poecilia latipinna
Population genetics
Population mean
Population size
Sympatric species
Sympatry
Zoology
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Summary:Male sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) are sexually parasitized by gynogenetic Amazon mollies (Poecilia formosa). In areas of sympatry, Amazon mollies are frequently larger than female sailfin mollies. In sympatry, selection may favor males that prefer smaller conspecific mates (avoid mismating with Amazon mollies), or selection may favor males that prefer larger conspecific mates (higher fecundity). To explore this potential species and mate-quality recognition conflict, we examined male preference variation across populations. Males from one sympatric population showed stabilizing preference functions, whereas in another sympatric population, males showed directional preference functions. Variation across sympatric populations may be related to the length of time of co-evolution with Amazon mollies. In the allopatric populations, we found flat preference functions. Variation in male preferences could have important ramifications for the maintenance of Amazon mollies, as well as for the evolution of female size.
ISSN:0340-5443
1432-0762
DOI:10.1007/s00265-009-0895-2