The conformation of a female preference for a composite male trait in green swordtails

Alexandra L. Basolo; Brian C. Trainor

doi:10.1006/anbe.2001.1933

The conformation of a female preference for a composite male trait in green swordtails

Alexandra L. Basolo, Brian C. Trainor

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Female green swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri, possess a preference for the multicomponent male sword. Previous work suggests that this female preference is a result of a pre-existing receiver bias favouring a sword and has contributed to sword evolution via intersexual selection. We use video presentations to investigate how females respond to components of this composite trait. Complete swords in this species have at least four individual components. Based on female response to video stimuli depicting males with intact swords and males in which sword components were digitally manipulated, it appears that males possessing complete swords elicit the strongest female response. Additionally, we found that females prefer stimuli with black sword coloration to those lacking black coloration. The results suggest that multiple components of the sword stimulate females, and that these components operate in conjunction to make the sword structure more attractive to females.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	469-474
Number of pages	6
Journal	Animal Behaviour
Volume	63
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.2001.1933
State	Published - 2002
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Animal Science and Zoology

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10.1006/anbe.2001.1933

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title = "The conformation of a female preference for a composite male trait in green swordtails",

abstract = "Female green swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri, possess a preference for the multicomponent male sword. Previous work suggests that this female preference is a result of a pre-existing receiver bias favouring a sword and has contributed to sword evolution via intersexual selection. We use video presentations to investigate how females respond to components of this composite trait. Complete swords in this species have at least four individual components. Based on female response to video stimuli depicting males with intact swords and males in which sword components were digitally manipulated, it appears that males possessing complete swords elicit the strongest female response. Additionally, we found that females prefer stimuli with black sword coloration to those lacking black coloration. The results suggest that multiple components of the sword stimulate females, and that these components operate in conjunction to make the sword structure more attractive to females.",

author = "Basolo, {Alexandra L.} and Trainor, {Brian C.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank J. Johnson, C. Marler, L. Moscovice and W. Wagner for critical input on this manuscript; J. Wise for sharing his knowledge of the animation programs; and W. Feeney for developing illustrations for a figure. This research was supported by a Grant-in-aid from Sigma Xi to B.C.T and an UNL Layman grant, NSF grant RPG 9309211, NSF grant IBN9629318, and NIH grant MH55288-01 to A.L.B. This research was conducted under the guideline of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Protocol No. 97-09-056).",

year = "2002",

doi = "10.1006/anbe.2001.1933",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "63",

pages = "469--474",

journal = "Animal Behaviour",

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AU - Basolo, Alexandra L.

AU - Trainor, Brian C.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors thank J. Johnson, C. Marler, L. Moscovice and W. Wagner for critical input on this manuscript; J. Wise for sharing his knowledge of the animation programs; and W. Feeney for developing illustrations for a figure. This research was supported by a Grant-in-aid from Sigma Xi to B.C.T and an UNL Layman grant, NSF grant RPG 9309211, NSF grant IBN9629318, and NIH grant MH55288-01 to A.L.B. This research was conducted under the guideline of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Protocol No. 97-09-056).

PY - 2002

Y1 - 2002

N2 - Female green swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri, possess a preference for the multicomponent male sword. Previous work suggests that this female preference is a result of a pre-existing receiver bias favouring a sword and has contributed to sword evolution via intersexual selection. We use video presentations to investigate how females respond to components of this composite trait. Complete swords in this species have at least four individual components. Based on female response to video stimuli depicting males with intact swords and males in which sword components were digitally manipulated, it appears that males possessing complete swords elicit the strongest female response. Additionally, we found that females prefer stimuli with black sword coloration to those lacking black coloration. The results suggest that multiple components of the sword stimulate females, and that these components operate in conjunction to make the sword structure more attractive to females.

AB - Female green swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri, possess a preference for the multicomponent male sword. Previous work suggests that this female preference is a result of a pre-existing receiver bias favouring a sword and has contributed to sword evolution via intersexual selection. We use video presentations to investigate how females respond to components of this composite trait. Complete swords in this species have at least four individual components. Based on female response to video stimuli depicting males with intact swords and males in which sword components were digitally manipulated, it appears that males possessing complete swords elicit the strongest female response. Additionally, we found that females prefer stimuli with black sword coloration to those lacking black coloration. The results suggest that multiple components of the sword stimulate females, and that these components operate in conjunction to make the sword structure more attractive to females.

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The conformation of a female preference for a composite male trait in green swordtails

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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