Finding the one: optimal choosiness under sequential mate choice. (19th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henshaw, Jonathan M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of evolutionary biology. Volume 31:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1193
• Page End: 1203
• Publication Date: 2018-06-19
• Subjects: dynamic programming -- mate preference -- optimal control -- reproductive phenology -- sexual selection -- wallflower effect; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-061X

Abstract

Abstract: When mates are encountered sequentially, each encounter involves a decision whether to reject the current suitor and risk not finding a better mate, or to accept them despite their flaws. I provide a flexible framework for modelling optimal choosiness when mate encounters occur unpredictably in time. The model allows for temporal variation in the fitness benefits of mating, including seasonal breeding conditions, accrual of mate search costs, survival of the choosing individual or senescence of gametes. The basic optimality framework can be applied iteratively to obtain mate choice equilibria in dynamically evolving populations. My model predicts that individuals should be choosier when the average rate of mate encounters is high, but that choosiness should decline over time as the likelihood of future mate encounters decreases. When mate encounters are uncertain, there is a trade‐off between reproductive timing and mate choice (the 'when' and the 'who'). Mate choice may be selected against when reproductive timing is highly important (e.g. when breeding conditions show a narrow peak in time). This can even lead to step‐shaped mate choice functions, where individuals abruptly switch from rejecting to accepting all suitors as peak breeding conditions approach. The model contributes to our understanding of why individuals may not express mate preferences, even when there is substantial variation in mate quality.