Abstract
BackgroundFemale condition-dependent variation in mate preference may have important evolutionary implications, not only within the same population but also among populations. There are few experiments, however, on how condition and/or genotype influences female mate preferences. The black throat patch of the male house sparrow, Passer domesticus, is an intensively studied plumage trait. It is often referred to as a 'badge of status' and seems to be involved in female mate choice, but differences exist among populations. Between-population variation in mate preference may occur for condition-dependent mate preferences. We tested the hypothesis that female preference may vary with female quality (body condition). Therefore, we measured female preference for badge size using an aviary two-choice test in which females were presented with two males that had different sizes of badges (enlarged or averaged).ResultsOverall we did not find a female preference for enlarged or average badges, but low-quality females spent more time near average badge males. Conversely, high-quality females did not show a clear preference.ConclusionsCollectively, these results indicate that female preference varies with female quality. Differences in female condition are causes of within-population variation in mating preferences. To our knowledge, our results provide one of the first experimental evidences that variation in preference for a male ornament is associated with female condition. In our study, however, only females of low condition displayed a clear mate preference. Differences observed among populations could be partly explained by differences in female condition.
Highlights
Female condition-dependent variation in mate preference may have important evolutionary implications, within the same population and among populations
The objective of this study was to examine how female condition influences female mate preference based on badge size in house sparrows
Our results provide one of the first experimental evidences that variation in preference for a male ornament is associated with female condition, in particular for females with poorer body condition
Summary
Female condition-dependent variation in mate preference may have important evolutionary implications, within the same population and among populations. We tested the hypothesis that female preference may vary with female quality (body condition). We measured female preference for badge size using an aviary two-choice test in which females were presented with two males that had different sizes of badges (enlarged or averaged). Mate choice is one important force driving sexual selection [1,2]. Females select males on the basis of vocalisations, behavioural displays, pheromones and morphological traits which may indicate the quality of the males [3]. Many studies on sexual selection focus on the signalling function and fitness consequences when females mate with males that exhibit particular male ornaments [3].
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