Male mate choice based on ontogenetic colour changes of females in the damselfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ischnura senegalensis</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Yuma Takahashi Mamoru Watanabe |
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Institution: | (1) Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan |
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Abstract: | While male mate choice behaviour has been reported in many taxa, little is known about its plasticity and evolutionary consequences.
In the damselfly Ischnura senegalensis, females exhibit colour dimorphism (gynomorph and andromorph). The body colour of gynomorphs changed ontogenetically in accordance
with sexual maturation, while little change occurred in andromorphs. To test the male mate choice between sexually immature
and mature females of both morphs, binary choice experiments were conducted. Virgin males that were reared separately from
females after emergence did not show significant preference between sexually immature and mature females for both morphs,
indicating that virgin males were unable to discriminate female reproductive status. On the other hand, males that had experienced
copulation with gynomorphs preferred sexually mature gynomorphs to sexually immature ones. However, males that had experienced
copulation with andromorphs could not discriminate between sexually immature and mature andromorphs, probably due to the absence
of significant ontogenetic change in their thoracic colour. Therefore, female body colour is an important cue for males in
discriminating between sexual maturation stages. Learned mate discrimination depending on copulation experience might help
males to detect potential mates effectively and avoid sexually unreceptive immature female. We finally discuss the adaptive
significance of the ontogenetic colour change in females. |
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Keywords: | |
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