Male mate preference and size-assortative pairing in the convict cichlid |
| |
Authors: | S. C. Beeching, A. B. Hopp,&dagger |
| |
Affiliation: | Department of Biology, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, U.S.A. |
| |
Abstract: | Male convict cichlids Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum presented three females simultaneously were found to prefer larger females, even if a female's size exceeded their own. This indicates that some mechanism other than male choice, such as female choice or intrasexual competition, must contribute to male-larger assortative pairing in convict cichlids. Despite a preference for larger females, males continued to consort with smaller females when available, and a females attractiveness was a function of her size relative to other females. |
| |
Keywords: | mate choice body size assortative mating cichlid |
|
|