Mate copying versus preference for actively courting males by female Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

We determined whether female Japanese medaka (Oryzias laiipes)copied the choice of other females or independently preferredactively courting males. We allowed focal females to observeand subsequently choose between a male that courted and potentiallyspawned with a receptive female and a male that courted andwas rejected by an unreceptive female. When the receptive femaledid not spawn, the focal female preferred the male with thehigher courtship rate; whereas when the receptive female spawned,the focal female preferred the spawning male. Our results suggestthat female medaka prefer actively courting males, unless theyhave the opportunity to copy the mate choice of another female.