Tail size and female choice in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Robert J. Bischoff, James L. Gould, Daniel Ian Rubenstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

204 Scopus citations

Abstract

Under laboratory conditions, female guppies demonstrate a clear preference for males with larger tails, and this preference translates into enhanced reproductive fitness for these males. Females also prefer males with higher display rates, a behavior which appears to be linked to tail size, but which can be experimentally disassociated. This appears to be a case of female-choice sexual selection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)253-255
Number of pages3
JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1985

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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