Open AccessPredictors of male insemination success in the mosquitofish ( Gambusia holbrooki )
Author(s) -
Head Megan L.,
VegaTrejo Regina,
Jacomb Frances,
Jennions Michael D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.1775
Subject(s) - mosquitofish , gambusia , biology , sexual selection , mating , selection (genetic algorithm) , insemination , mate choice , reproductive success , mating preferences , sperm competition , evolutionary biology , zoology , ecology , sperm , demography , genetics , population , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Identifying targets of selection is key to understanding the evolution of sexually selected behavioral and morphological traits. Many animals have coercive mating, yet little is known about whether and how mate choice operates when these are the dominant mating tactic. Here, we use multivariate selection analysis to examine the direction and shape of selection on male insemination success in the mosquitofish ( Gambusia holbrooki ). We found direct selection on only one of five measured traits, but correlational selection involving all five traits. Larger males with longer gonopodia and with intermediate sperm counts were more likely to inseminate females than smaller males with shorter gonopodia and extreme sperm counts. Our results highlight the need to investigate sexual selection using a multivariate framework even in species that lack complex sexual signals. Further, female choice appears to be important in driving the evolution of male sexual traits in this species where sexual coercion is the dominant mating tactic.