scholarly journals Robotic crabs reveal that female fiddler crabs are sensitive to changes in male display rate

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 20170695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie L. Mowles ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Patricia R. Y. Backwell
Keyword(s):  
Strong Preference ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Playback Experiments ◽  
Fiddler Crabs ◽  
Male Display ◽  
Mixed Responses ◽  
Courtship Displays

Males often produce dynamic, repetitive courtship displays that can be demanding to perform and might advertise male quality to females. A key feature of demanding displays is that they can change in intensity: escalating as a male increases his signalling effort, but de-escalating as a signaller becomes fatigued. Here, we investigated whether female fiddler crabs, Uca mjoebergi , are sensitive to changes in male courtship wave rate. We performed playback experiments using robotic male crabs that had the same mean wave rate, but either escalated, de-escalated or remained constant. Females demonstrated a strong preference for escalating robots, but showed mixed responses to robots that de-escalated (‘fast’ to ‘slow’) compared to those that waved at a constant ‘medium’ rate. These findings demonstrate that females can discern changes in male display rate, and prefer males that escalate, but that females are also sensitive to past display rates indicative of prior vigour.

Duration of courtship displays corresponds to social status in male greater sac-winged bats (Saccopteryx bilineata)

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Knörnschild ◽  
A. G. Fulmer ◽  
O. von Helversen
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Display Duration ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Male Age ◽  
Saccopteryx Bilineata ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Courtship Displays

In species with complex courtship displays, male courtship performance is often used by females to assess male quality. The greater sac-winged bat ( Saccopteryx bilineata (Temminck, 1838)) lives in a harem-based resource-defence polygyny. Courting males perform complex hover displays in front of roosting females. Males differ in their social status by having females permanently or sporadically in their day-roost territory (harem males vs. nonharem males). We compared the frequency and duration of hover displays from harem and nonharem males in free-living colonies. Male social status was correlated with male age and the number of females being courted; thus, these two effects were removed to compare the frequency and duration of hover displays for harem and nonharem males. The frequency of hover displays per hour did not differ between harem and nonharem males, whereas the mean duration of hover displays was linked to male social status, with harem males exhibiting significantly longer hover displays than nonharem males. When analysing each social status separately, the hover display duration of both harem and nonharem males was neither influenced by the number of competing males nor by the number of females being courted. Male age did not influence the hover display duration of nonharem males; however, it had a significant effect on the hover display duration of harem males, with older harem males hovering significantly longer than younger harem males. Because females are free to choose in which male territory to roost, they might use the duration of hover displays to evaluate the quality of courting males.

scholarly journals Male dwarf chameleons assess risk of courting large, aggressive females

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devi M Stuart-Fox ◽  
Martin J Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Relative Size ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Female Resistance ◽  
Male Display ◽  
Forced Copulation ◽  
Display Behaviour ◽  
Courtship Displays ◽  
Male Dwarf

Conflict between the sexes has traditionally been studied in terms of costs of mating to females and female resistance. However, courting can also be costly to males, especially when females are larger and aggressively resist copulation attempts. We examined male display intensity towards females in the Cape dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum , in which females are larger than males and very aggressive. We assessed whether aggressive female rejection imposes potential costs on males and whether males vary their display behaviour with intensity of female rejection, female size or relative size differences. Males persisted in courtship after initial female rejection in 84% of trials, and were bitten in 28% of trials. Attempted mounts were positively associated with males being bitten. Males reduced courtship with increased intensity of female rejection. Male courtship behaviour also varied with female size: males were more likely to court and approach smaller females, consistent with the hypothesis that larger females can inflict more damage. These results suggest that, in addition to assessing female willingness to mate, male dwarf chameleons may use courtship displays to assess potential costs of persistence, including costs associated with aggressive female rejection, weighed against potential reproductive pay-offs associated with forced copulation.

scholarly journals Courtship behaviour influences social partner choice in male guppies

Behaviour ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 923-947
Author(s):  
Heather L. Auld ◽  
Jean-Guy J. Godin
Keyword(s):  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Partner Choice ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Association Preference ◽  
Social Associations ◽  
Courtship Displays ◽  
Social Association

Abstract Although male courtship displays have evolved primarily to sexually attract females, they also generate inadvertent public information that potentially reveals the courter’s relative sexual attractiveness and the perceived quality and sexual receptivity of the female being courted to nearby eavesdropping male competitors, who in turn may use this information to bias their social partner choices. We tested this hypothesis by first presenting individual eavesdropping male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) the opportunity to simultaneously observe two demonstrator males whose courtship behaviour was manipulated experimentally to differ, following which we tested them for their preference to associate socially with either demonstrator males. Test males preferentially associated with the demonstrator male who they had previously observed courting a female over the other (non-courting) demonstrator. This social association preference was not expressed in the absence of a female to court. Our findings highlight the potential for sexual behaviour influencing male-male social associations in nature.

Survival and reintegration of rehabilitated Carnaby’s Cockatoos Zanda latirostris into wild flocks

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE J. GROOM ◽  
KRISTIN WARREN ◽  
PETER R. MAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Bond Formation ◽  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
Pair Bonding ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
Courtship Displays

SummaryRelease into the wild is the preferred outcome for rehabilitated animals, but often little is known about what happens to individuals following their release. Increased knowledge of post-release survival and reintegration into the wild could improve release and rehabilitation strategies. To assess the survival and reintegration of rehabilitated Endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos Zanda latirostris into wild flocks we studied the movements and behaviour of 23 birds fitted with satellite tracking devices. We assessed longer term survival by collating records of leg-banded birds over eight years. Rehabilitated birds had an estimated annual survival rate of 0.73. The band recovery rate for all rehabilitated Carnaby’s Cockatoos banded between 2005 and 2013 was not significantly different to those fitted with tracking devices (10.3% versus 13.0% respectively, P = 1). Physical, social and behavioural indicators of fitness were used to assess the success of the reintegration of rehabilitated birds. Released birds flew, roosted and foraged with wild birds. Whilst pair bond formation and breeding of study birds could not be confirmed during this study, behaviours associated with pair bonding were observed, including allo-preening and male courtship displays. The rehabilitation process and pre-release procedure for identifying individuals ready for release was effective at selecting suitable release candidates.

Male courtship displays and vocal communication in the polygynous bat Carollia perspicillata

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Knörnschild ◽  
Marion Feifel ◽  
Elisabeth K.V. Kalko
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Carollia Perspicillata ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Distress Calls ◽  
Individual Signature ◽  
Courtship Displays

Male courtship behaviour towards choosy females often comprises elaborate displays that address multiple sensory channels. In bats, detailed quantitative descriptions of multimodal courtship displays are still fairly scarce, despite the taxon’s speciose nature. We studied male courtship behaviour in a polygynous Neotropical bat, Seba’s short-tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata, by monitoring harem males in a captive colony. Courting male C. perspicillata performed stereotypic tactile, visual and acoustic displays. A courtship sequence, directed at one female at a time, lasted up to 120 s. During courtship, males approached females by brachiating or flying, hovered in front of them, pursued them on the wing, sniffed them and repeatedly poked the females with one or both folded wings; the latter behaviour was the most conspicuous male courtship display. Immediately before copulation, males wrapped their wings around the females and bit their necks. As acoustic display, courting male C. perspicillata produced highly variable, monosyllabic courtship trills. The species’ vocal repertoire consisted of ten different social vocalisation types, three for benign interactions (courtship trills, wobbles, isolation calls), four for aggressive encounters (aggressive trills, down-sweeps, warbles, distress calls) and the remaining three for unknown behavioural contexts (V-shaped calls, flat down-sweeps, hooks). Courtship trills and aggressive trills were exclusively produced by males. We measured 245 courtship trills of five males and found statistical evidence for a strong individual signature which has the potential to facilitate female choice, mate recognition or neighbour–stranger recognition among male competitors.

scholarly journals Eavesdropping in crabs: an agency for lady detection

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 755-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard N. C. Milner ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Patricia R. Y. Backwell
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Female ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Fiddler Crabs ◽  
Visual Contact ◽  
Mate Searching ◽  
Courtship Displays

Although conspicuous courtship displays are an effective way of attracting the attention of receptive females, they could provide valuable information to rival males on the location of these females. In fiddler crabs, males that see a receptive female wave their single, greatly enlarged claw in a highly conspicuous courtship display. We test whether other males use this courtship display to alert them to the presence of receptive females that they cannot directly see. We show that male fiddler crabs ( Uca mjoebergi ) eavesdrop on the courtship displays of nearby males to detect mate-searching females. This allows males to begin waving before a female becomes visible. Furthermore, males appear to adjust their waving according to the information available: eavesdropping males wave 12 times faster than non-courting males but only 1.7 times slower than males in full visual contact with the female.

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE GENUS PLEUROPOMPHA LECONTE: A NEW MATING DISPLAY IN BLISTER BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: MELOIDAE)

1973 ◽  
Vol 105 (7) ◽  
pp. 957-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Courtship Behavior ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Male Display ◽  
Rejection Response ◽  
Distinguishing Features ◽  
Male Courtship Behavior ◽  
Posterior Position ◽  
Mating Display

AbstractDistinguishing features of male courtship behavior in Pleuropompha include the performance of all acts including genital presentation from a position completely off and behind the female (posterior position), and the occurrence of a unique non-tactual display termed antennal fanning. Non-receptive females frequently react to antennal fanning with an equally distinct rejection response. The communicant manifested through male display is unknown. Preliminary observations suggest that fanning is perceived by the female’s antennae. Vision does not appear to play a significant role.Male courtship in Pleuropompha differs from that of any other genus of Meloidae studied. It corresponds most closely to the behavior of certain species of the nominate subgenus of Epicauta, E. puncticollis in particular. In this species a persistent posterior position also occurs and the antennae of the male are also employed in display, although in this case display is overtly tactual.

scholarly journals Cooperative Display and Lekking Behavior of the Lance-Tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia Lanceolata)

The Auk ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 1168-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily H. DuVal
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Solitary Males ◽  
Adaptive Consequences ◽  
Low Amplitude ◽  
Chiroxiphia Lanceolata ◽  
Courtship Displays

Abstract Male Lance-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) perform multi-male courtship displays for females. To characterize the behavioral repertoire and the lek spatial organization of this species, I observed lekking males on Isla Boca Brava, Chiriquí Province, Panamá. Breeding began in March and continued through June, though courtship displays were recorded as late as November. Males were active throughout the day at display areas on the dispersed lek. Display areas were spaced 102 ± 30 m apart and averaged 2,480 ± 1,060 m2 in area (range: 525–4,500 m2; n = 24 display areas). The behavioral repertoire of Lance-tailed Manakins included 11 dance display elements, 7 common vocalizations, and 2 types of male-male duet songs. Duet songs and multimale dances for females were cooperative efforts by male pairs and included display elements that were never performed during courtship displays by solitary males. However, males performed both cooperative and entirely solo displays for females that ended in successful copulation, which suggests that cooperation is not obligate in this species, at least on the level of individual displays. Two sonations, or nonvocal communicative sounds, were noted during courtship displays: low-amplitude pulses of noise produced in rapid sets of 7–30 clicks during slow flight displays, and a low-frequency woosh produced at the nadir of swoop displays. The Lance-tailed Manakin display repertoire provides information useful in comparative analyses of the origin and evolution of display behavior within the manakin clade and in studies of the adaptive consequences of individual behavior within this species. Exhibición Cooperativa y Comportamiento de Asambleas de Cortejo en Chiroxiphia lanceolata

Courtship Displays Are Condition-Dependent Signals That Reliably Reflect Male Quality in Greek Tortoises,Testudo graeca

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa ◽  
Roberto Sacchi ◽  
Paolo Galeotti ◽  
Manuela Marchesi ◽  
Mauro Fasola
Keyword(s):  
Male Quality ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
Courtship Displays
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