Male–male contest limits the expression of assortative mate preferences in a polymorphic poison frog. (10th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Yusan; Richards-Zawacki, Corinne L
• Editors: Candolin, Ulrika
• Is Part Of: Behavioral ecology. Volume 32:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2020-11-10
• Subjects: assortative mating -- female choice -- male–male competition -- Oophaga pumilio -- reproductive isolation -- sexual selection; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Behavior evolution -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Comparative -- Periodicals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-2249

Abstract

Abstract: Codivergence of sexual traits and mate preferences can lead to assortative mating and subsequently reproductive isolation. However, mate choice rarely operates without intrasexual competition, and the effects of the latter on speciation are often overlooked. Maintaining trait polymorphisms despite gene flow and limiting assortative female preferences for less-competitive male phenotypes are two important roles that male–male competition may play in the speciation process. Both roles rely on the assumption that male–male competition limits the expression of divergent female preferences. We tested this assumption in the highly color-polymorphic strawberry poison frog ( Oophaga pumilio ). Females prefer males of the local color, suggesting that reproductive isolation may be evolving among color morphs. However, this inference does not account for male–male competition, which is also color-mediated. We housed females with two differently colored males, and compared reproductive patterns when the more attractive male was the territory holder versus when he was the nonterritorial male. Females mated primarily with the territory winner, regardless of coloration, suggesting that when a choice must be made between the two, male territoriality overrides female preferences for male coloration. Our results highlight the importance of considering the combined effects of mate choice and intrasexual competition in shaping phenotypic divergence and speciation. Abstract : Divergent female preferences can generate reproductive isolation, but only when these preferences translate to actual mating patterns. Here, we show that divergent color preferences in a polymorphic poison frog can be overridden by the contest outcomes between competing male candidates. Our results highlight the distinction between mate preferences and mate choice, and the role of male–male competition in phenotypic divergence and speciation.