title: Rapid assessment of female preference for male size predicts subsequent choice of spawning partner in a socially monogamous cichlid fish.
abstract: Although size-assortative mating in convict cichlids, Amatitliana nigrofasciata, is supposed to result from mutual mating preference for larger individuals, female choice in relation to male size remains ambiguous. We revisited the evidence for directional preference for larger males in female convict cichlids using a classical two-way choice apparatus in which each female could decide to spend time in front of a small male or a large one. We found evidence for female preference for large males, as assessed from association preference during a 4-hour period following encounter. Furthermore, females decided to spawn in front of the initially preferred male more often than expected by chance. Our results thus confirm the existence of a directional preference for large males in female convict cichlids, and indicate that association preference measured over a short period of time can provide a quick and reliable proxy for reproductive preference in this species.
authors: Équipe écologie évolutive, UMR CNRS 5561 biogéosciences, université de Bourgogne, 6, boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. fx.dechaume@u-bourgogne.fr
authors: François-Xavier
authors: FX
authors: Dechaume-Moncharmont
authors: Jérémie H
authors: JH
authors: Cornuau
authors: Ismaël
authors: I
authors: Keddar
authors: Malika
authors: M
authors: Ihle
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Motreuil
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Cézilly
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D023681:Cichlids / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D052586:Mating Preference, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior