The role of the model in mate‐choice copying in female zebra finches. (17th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kniel, Nina; Müller, Katharina; Witte, Klaudia
• Editors: Fusani, L.
• Is Part Of: Ethology. Volume 123:Number 6/7(2017)
• Page Start: 412
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2017-05-17
• Subjects: artificial -- ornamentation -- mate‐choice copying -- public information -- zebra finch; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1111/eth.12611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0179-1613

Abstract

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that zebra finch females copy the mate choice of other females by choosing a mate of the same phenotype as the one chosen by another female (model). Little is known about the influence of the model female on the mate choice of the observing female. Therefore, we investigated the role of the model female in mate‐choice copying by manipulating her phenotype. Test females could choose between an unadorned male and an artificially adorned male, that is, wearing a red feather on the forehead. During a 2h observation period, test females could observe a single male in one cage and a male–female pair in another cage. In treatment one, the single male was unadorned and both the male and the female of the pair (model female) were adorned. In treatment two, the single male was adorned, the male of the pair unadorned and the model female adorned. Afterwards, test females could again choose between two new males, one adorned and one unadorned. In treatment one, test females first showed no preference for one of the two males, but avoided adorned males after the observation period. In treatment two, test females lost an initial preference for unadorned males after the observation period. In both treatments, test females did not copy the mate choice of the adorned model female. Adorned model females seemed to have a negative influence on the attractiveness of their mates' phenotype. Test females might have recognised model females as females of a different phenotype within their species which are adapted to different environmental conditions, or even have recognised model females as a female of another species. Our study demonstrates the important role of the model female in the complex public information network in zebra finches.