Understanding how animals choose mates is both a theoretical and a methodological challenge. Many studies on diverse organisms have shown that females choose mates and that this choice is based on variation among males in physical and behavioral traits. However, little is known about how the choice is made and how it is affected by genetic and environmental factmrs. Drs. Kodric-Brown and Nicoletto will develop and apply a video- imaging technique that will allow assessment of the relative importance of courtship displays and color patterns of male guppies in attracting females. Advantages of using such an imaging technique are: (a) precise control of male color patterns and courtship behavior, (b) high degree of repeatability, because the same male images are presented to females, (c) ability to manipulate individual behavioral and morphological components independently of each other and in combination, which will allow assessment of their relative importance in female choice, and (d) ability to present exactly the same choices to different females in the population or to the same female at different stages of her life or experience. The research should yield answers to such important questions as: (a) How much variation is there in mate preferences among females within and between populations? (b) How consistent are the preferences of individuals. and do they change with age or experience? (c) How do different traits combine to produce attractive courtship signals? Results of this project will also be relevant to other areas of behavior, such as the use of signals in communication systems.
