Risky sex: male pipefishes mate at random in the presence of a predator

Article Abstract:

The presence of a predator affected the courtship (dancing) and mating behavior of male pipefishes, which tended to choose larger females when there were no predators, but were indiscriminate in their choice when predators were present. Courtship and copulation were also reduced by the presence of predators, with dancing starting later and copulation occurring less frequently, though more eggs were transferred at each copulation. Both dancing and copulation involve risks from predators. While there was no loss in fecundity in terms of number of eggs being similar with fewer copulations but more eggs, larger females tend to have larger eggs linked to larger offspring, so lack of choice could have an important impact on breeding success.

Case studies, Predation (Biology)

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Female mate guarding: no evidence in a socially monogamous species

Article Abstract:

There is no evidence of female mate guarding by close association in European blackbirds, Turdus merula, according to research into female pair proximity behaviour as a female mate-guarding tactic. There was no evidence of females paired to older males guarding any more strongly than females paired to first-year males, and there was no rise in female pair association behaviour with rises in male body size. Existing literature suggests that female mate guarding may be relevant only to females in polygynous breeding patterns. However, it is known that frequent copulation and male mate guarding by close association both require much time and energy, and this is probably true for females too.

Behavior, Blackbirds, Common blackbird

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Video mate preferences of female three-spined sticklebacks from populations with divergent male coloration

Article Abstract:

Mate selection preferences of female Gasterosteus aculeatus were studied to determine whether differences in male ornamental traits between populations is related to a corresponding diversity in female preferences. It was shown that female G. aculeatus generally preferred males with black or red coloration. Preferences differed between populations, although the differences were not significant.

Sexual behavior, Color of animals, Animal coloration, Sticklebacks

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