Abstract

In mating interactions, it is common in nature for both sexes to choose simultaneously. However, this mutual mate choice and its consequences for progeny has received relatively little study; an approach where both male and female condition is manipulated is thus desirable. We compared both sexes’ preferences in Tenebrio molitor beetles when individual condition varied (healthy vs infected with a fungus), and observed the direct benefits of those preferences. We predicted that: (a) females and males in good condition would prefer high quality mates; (b) preferences would be weaker when the choosing individual is in poor condition (and thus less selective given, for example, time and energetic constrains); and, (c) high quality mates would lay a larger number of total eggs and/or viable eggs than low quality mates. We found that both males and females in good condition were not more likely to choose mates that were also in good condition. However, poor-condition animals were more likely to prefer similar quality animals, while high-condition animals did not necessarily prefer mates of similar condition. Choosing sick males or females had a negative impact on egg number and viability. Our results suggest a non-adaptive mate choice in this species. Possibly, a deteriorated condition may drive individuals to invest more in attracting mates, because their chances of surviving the infection are very low. However, we do not discount the possibility that the fungus is manipulating individuals to increase its transmission during mating.

Highlights

  • In mating interactions, it is common in nature for both sexes to choose simultaneously

  • Pheromones fulfill all of the criteria to be considered indicators of good condition, and act as ornaments for the following reasons: (1) their quantity and/or quality vary among individuals of the same ­species[39,40], (2) they honestly reflect individual ­quality[37,41], (3) they are costly both to produce and to maintain, and (4) they show relatively high levels of h­ eritability[39]

  • We investigated mutual mate choice and its benefits when both sexes vary in their condition, using the evaluation of pheromones and T. molitor as a study subject

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Summary

Introduction

It is common in nature for both sexes to choose simultaneously This mutual mate choice and its consequences for progeny has received relatively little study; an approach where both male and female condition is manipulated is desirable. We predicted that: (a) females and males in good condition would prefer high quality mates; (b) preferences would be weaker when the choosing individual is in poor condition (and less selective given, for example, time and energetic constrains); and, (c) high quality mates would lay a larger number of total eggs and/or viable eggs than low quality mates. Mutual mate choice and its effects on offspring has been studied relatively little when the condition (broadly defined here as the general health and vigor of an o­ rganism17) of the two sexes differs In these situations, it is expected that both sexes will choose mates of higher quality to obtain the corresponding ­benefits[18,19]. Pheromones fulfill all of the criteria to be considered indicators of good condition, and act as ornaments for the following reasons: (1) their quantity and/or quality vary among individuals of the same ­species[39,40], (2) they honestly reflect individual ­quality[37,41], (3) they are costly both to produce and to maintain (i.e. their production is reduced when the animal is nutrient-stressed42,43), and (4) they show relatively high levels of h­ eritability[39]

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