Fluctuating sexual selection and the evolution of a courtship strategy

Chang S. Han, Robert C. Brooks and Piotr G. Jablonski

Behavioral Ecology, 2016, vol. 27, issue 3, 886-894

Abstract: Lay Summary Male Gerris gracilicornis water striders intimidate females into mating by causing vibrations on the water surface that attract predatory backswimmer bugs. We tested whether selection on male courtship behavior varied with the presence or absence of backswimmers. Although males that employ more intimidation succeed in mating more often under both conditions, there were differences in the combinations of male behaviors that were successful. These differences may explain why male behavior remains variable even in the presence of strong selection.

Keywords: fluctuating selection; Gerris gracilicornis; intimidating courtship; predation risk; sexual selection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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