Female preferences for large, heavy mates inSchistocerca americana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) |
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Authors: | E F Kosal M Niedzlek-Feaver |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University, Box 7617, 27695-7617 Raleigh, North Carolina |
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Abstract: | The significance of female choice in shaping mating systems remains problematic. The following study clearly documents female
preferences in a species of grasshopper,Schistocerca americana, over the course of 3 years. Three sets of animals were observed in an outdoor seminatural cage. Females were found to mate
more often with large, heavy males. Furthermore, remating by a female within a week was less likely if she mated with a large
or heavy male. Because females were found to oviposit 2 days after a mating on average, these large heavy males may also be
chosen cryptically (as defined in the literature) and father more offspring. |
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Keywords: | female choice cryptic choice sexual selection Schistocerca americana winter hardiness size discrimination |
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