Abstract
Predicting patterns of variation in sexual traits requires understanding how developmental environments influence mate choice. Here, we studied how long-term perceived high predation risk affects mutual mate choice in the cichlid Pelvicachromis taeniatus. From hatching onwards, fish were exposed regularly to either conspecific alarm cues signalling high risk or a control treatment consisting of exposure to water. Alarm cue-exposed and control adult fish were then offered the dichotomous choice between opposite-sex fish from different treatment groups. Under chronic predation risk, lower investment in mate choice and assortative preferences for mates from the same environment may be optimal. As predicted, alarm cue-exposed males assessed potential mates less than controls whereas females did not. Mate preferences differed as well but were independent of sex. While alarm cue-exposed fish were unselective, against expectations, control fish displayed disassortative preferences for alarm cue-exposed fish. This indicates that perceived high predation risk during development may contribute to maintaining variation in mating preferences and sexual traits.
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