Sex Differences in Mate Choice Preference Characteristics of Aequidens rivulatus

Abstract

The mating roles of males and females, to a certain extent, are dynamic and variable. Several factors influence the mate choice process. Nonetheless, the main preference features have not yet been fully understood in Aequidens rivulatus. In this study, because of its natural pairing characteristics, A. rivulatus was selected to explore the mate choice preferences of different sexes. Specifically, male and female behavioral performances were described and quantified through a "no-choice paradigm" during mate choice. A total of 12 behavioral performances were defined in male mate choice (experiment 1), whereas 14 behavioral performances were defined in female mate choice (experiment 2). According to the obtained results, unselected females did not display any proactive behaviors in experiment 1, whereas unselected males exhibited proactive behaviors in experiment 2, including quivering, nipping, tail beating, swimming up and down, and aggression. It was also found that both male and female individuals tend to express dislike rather than like. Those behaviors with higher frequencies (e.g., quivering) often mean less energy expenditure, thus easier repeatability. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract and identify mate choice preference features. Preliminary results indicated that male preferences for a mate were mainly associated with body size, behavioral intention, and appearance, whereas the intensity of female preferences was in the order of body size, appearance, and behavioral intention. In addition, sex hormone levels were associated with mate choices.

Keywords: Aequidens rivulatus; mate choice; mate preferences; no-choice test; sex differences; sex selection.

Figure 1

The behavioral intention of male and female fish in Experiment 1. (a) Frequency of male’s behavioral performance; (b) Proportion of duration of behavioral performance in males; (c) Frequency of female’s behavior performance; (d) Proportion of the duration of behavior performance in females.

Figure 2

Body size preference for the different sexes. (a) Female body size preference in Experiment 1; (b) Male body size preference in Experiment 2. A significant difference is denoted by an asterisk.

Figure 3

The ornamental preference for the different sexes. (a) Male ornamental preference in Experiment 1; (b) Female ornamental preference in Experiment 2. A significant difference is denoted by an asterisk.

Figure 4

Comparison of sex hormone levels. (a) Estradiol levels in females in Experiment 1; (b) Testosterone levels in males in Experiment 2. A significant difference is denoted by an asterisk.

Figure 5

The behavioral intention of male and female fish in Experiment 2. (a) Frequency of female’s behavioral performance; (b) Proportion of the duration of behavioral performance in females; (c) Frequency of male’s behavior performance; (d) Proportion of the duration of behavior performance in males.