Predation cost of a sexual signal in the threespine stickleback

Sini Johnson and Ulrika Candolin

Behavioral Ecology, 2017, vol. 28, issue 4, 1160-1165

Abstract: Lay SummaryThe factors that limit sexual signal expression and ensure honest signaling of mate quality are poorly known. We show that predation risk is a cost of the sexually selected red coloration of the threespine stickleback and, hence, could contribute to signal honesty. A common predator selectively preys on colorful stickleback males in the field, and an experimental study showed that the bright coloration attracts the predator independent of the behavior of the male.

Keywords: Coloration; courtship; ornament; predation risk; reliable signaling; sexual selection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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