ISSN:
1572-8889
Keywords:
sexual selection
;
mate choice
;
seaweed fly
;
willingness to mate
;
adult size
;
premating struggles
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Female Coelopa nebularum attempt to avoid mating with males by adopting up to three behavioral responses. Kicking and shaking are designed to dislodge mounted males, whereas downward abdominal curling prevents engagement of genitalia. We find that some females are more willing to mate than others, but their choice of rejection strategy is inconsistent. Mating does not affect behavior in immediately subsequent encounters. Male size influences the choice of rejection strategy and is positively associated with mating success. Different strategies have similar success rates. The response to a mount is not influenced by the size of a male encountered immediately beforehand. We propose that these results are inconsistent with adaptive mate choice or mate assessment and suggest that females are simply attempting to avoid the costs of mating with all males.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1007863618979
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