Unexpected female preference for smaller males in the marbled goby Pomatoschistus marmoratus.
The study tested the role of body size and of nest size in female mate choice in the marbled goby, Pomatoschistus marmoratus. The results show a female preference for smaller males, supporting the idea that smaller males may be preferred to larger ones in the absence of male-male competition. No effect of nest size was detected, suggesting that other nest characteristics, beyond nest size, may be implicated.
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35121, Padova, Italy.
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Locatello
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35121, Padova, Italy.
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Mazzoldi
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35121, Padova, Italy.
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Santon
Department of Biology, University of Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
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Sparaciari
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35121, Padova, Italy.
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Rasotto
D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D052586:Mating Preference, Animal; D010473:Perciformes; D012919:Social Behavior
female choice; male size; mate choice; nest size