Predator Experience Affects Mating Behavior in Male<i>Gambusia affinis</i>

Peterson, A. T.; Fiorillo, Riccardo A.; Taylor, Christopher M.

doi:10.1080/02705060.2007.9664144

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…We successfully generated n = 11 animations showing Northern snakehead ( Channa argus ), which is a widespread, voracious fish predator in large parts of China, and has even expanded its natural distribution range after escaping from aquaculture (Courtenay and Williams 2004). We included n = 11 animations showing an originally co-evolved (North American) predator, namely green sunfish ( Lepomis cyanellus ; Peterson et al 2007). This species was introduced to China in 1998 and became an economically important species in some regions like Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan and Hubei Provinces (Li et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Treatment 2, we presented focal fish with the currently coexisting, piscivorous C. argus . Treatment 3 used L. cyanellus , a co-evolved predator of G. affinis (Peterson et al. 2007) that does not currently co-occur with G. affinis in those parts of China from which we collected our test subjects.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, we used both wild-caught (predator-experienced) and laboratory-reared (predator-naïve) individuals. We hypothesized that the predator-naïve cohort of test fish would change their mating preferences when facing the co-evolved predator (alluding to innate effects), whereas the predator-experienced cohort could respond more to the currently co-occurring predator if learning about predators also plays a role (Peterson et al. 2007; Kozak and Boughman 2015).…”

Section: Innate and Learned (Experiential) Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predator-induced changes of male and female mating preferences: innate and learned components

Plath

Umutoni

et al. 2019

Current Zoology

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While many mating preferences have a genetic basis, the question remains as to whether and how learning/experience can modify individual mate choice decisions. We used wild-caught (predator-experienced) and F1 laboratory-reared (predator-naïve) invasive Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis from China to test whether mating preferences (assessed in a first mate choice test) would change under immediate predation threat. The same individuals were tested in a second mate choice test during which 1 of 3 types of animated predators was presented: 1) a co-occurring predator, 2) a co-evolved but not currently co-occurring predator, and 3) a non-piscivorous species as control. We compared preference scores derived from both mate choice tests to separate innate from experiential effects of predation. We also asked whether predator-induced changes in mating preferences would differ between sexes or depend on the choosing individual’s personality type and/or body size. Wild-caught fish altered their mate choice decisions most when exposed to the co-occurring predator whereas laboratory-reared individuals responded most to the co-evolved predator, suggesting that both innate mechanisms and learning effects are involved. This behavior likely reduces individuals’ risk of falling victim to predation by temporarily moving away from high-quality (i.e., conspicuous) mating partners. Accordingly, effects were stronger in bolder than shyer, large- compared with small-bodied, and female compared with male focal individuals, likely because those phenotypes face an increased predation risk overall. Our study adds to the growing body of literature appreciating the complexity of the mate choice process, where an array of intrinsic and extrinsic factors interacts during decision-making.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%