Genetics and evolution of female choice

Non-random mating in the two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata): I. A reassessment of the evidence

“…The results seemed consistent with the hypothesis that a single locus controlled the female mating preference. This was confirmed in a subsequent experiment (Majerus et al, 1986), in which mating pairs were removed from a line selected for female preference for ten generations. The progeny of each of these mating pairs, referred to as "isofemale lines", were tested for preference in small mating chambers.…”

“…A general test for significance based on the null hypothesis of no preference showed wide variation between the "isofemale lines". An excess of melanie males was taken as an indication of preference, and a simple model (see Majerus et al, 1986) yielded an estimate (y) of the proportion of females mating preferentially in each "isofemale line".…”

Genetic differences in mating success and female choice in seaweed flies (Coelopa frigida)

“…The experimental support for female choice being inherited is more limited. Only in the two-spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata, does direct evidence exist for a polymorphism with a genetic basis (Majerus et a!., 1982(Majerus et a!., , 1986O'Donald and Majerus, 1985;Majerus, 1986), although convincing indirect evidence has been obtained in Drosophila melanogaster (Heisler, 1984) and the Trinidad guppy, Poecilia reticulata (Breden and Stoner, 1987). We report here an association in seaweed flies between mating success, female choice and the possession of a particular allele at an enzyme-determining locus.…”

“…It is widely assumed that female choice is genetically determined yet direct experimental support only exists for Adalia bipunctata (Majerus et a!., 1986). In the two-spot ladybird a single dominant gene appears to be responsible for female preference for melanic males, with homozygous recessive females mating randomly.…”

The evolutionary history of Drosophila buzzatii. XIV. Larger flies mate more often in nature

“…Two types of sexual selection mechanisms may act in the population: (1) intrasexual selection, involving compe-tition of (usually) males for the possession of females; and (2) intersexual selection, involving the exercise of (usually) female choice for mates. The main objections to the Darwinian theory of sexual selection have been focussed on the latter, yet there are experimental evidences that females may choose between males (Semler, 1971;Thornhill, 1976Thornhill, , 1980Thornhill, , 1983Andersson, 1982;Majerus et a!., 1982;Searcy, 1982;Majerus, 1986;Read, 1986;Houde, 1987).…”