Faculty Opinions recommendation of Countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of guppies (Poecilia reticulata): drosopterin synthesis balances carotenoid availability.

Author(s):  
Rebecca Kilner
2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1734) ◽  
pp. 1684-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Deere ◽  
Gregory F. Grether ◽  
Aida Sun ◽  
Janet S. Sinsheimer

We tested the hypothesis that mate choice is responsible for countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of Trinidadian guppies ( Poecilia reticulata ). The nature of the countergradient pattern is that geographical variation in the carotenoid content of the orange spots of males is counterbalanced by genetic variation in drosopterin production, resulting in a relatively uniform pigment ratio. A female hue preference could produce this pattern, because hue is the axis of colour variation most directly affected by the pigment ratio. To test this hypothesis, we crossed two populations differing in drosopterin production and produced an F 2 generation with variable drosopterin levels. When the carotenoid content of the orange spots was held constant, female guppies preferred males with intermediate drosopterin levels. This shows that females do not simply prefer males with greater orange spot pigment content; instead, the ratio of the pigments also affects male attractiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first direct evidence for a hypothesized agent of countergradient sexual selection.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Hawkins ◽  
William W. Walker ◽  
John W. Fournie ◽  
C. Steve Manning ◽  
Rena M. Krol

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Miletto Petrazzini ◽  
Audrey E. Parrish ◽  
Michael J. Beran ◽  
Christian Agrillo
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sierra N. Smith ◽  
Ingo Schlupp ◽  
Edward D. Higgins ◽  
Jessa L. Watters ◽  
Kerri‐Ann Bennett ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1934) ◽  
pp. 20200487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safi K. Darden ◽  
Richard James ◽  
James M. Cave ◽  
Josefine Bohr Brask ◽  
Darren P. Croft

Cooperation among non-kin is well documented in humans and widespread in non-human animals, but explaining the occurrence of cooperation in the absence of inclusive fitness benefits has proven a significant challenge. Current theoretical explanations converge on a single point: cooperators can prevail when they cluster in social space. However, we know very little about the real-world mechanisms that drive such clustering, particularly in systems where cognitive limitations make it unlikely that mechanisms such as score keeping and reputation are at play. Here, we show that Trinidadian guppies ( Poecilia reticulata ) use a ‘walk away’ strategy, a simple social heuristic by which assortment by cooperativeness can come about among mobile agents. Guppies cooperate during predator inspection and we found that when experiencing defection in this context, individuals prefer to move to a new social environment, despite having no prior information about this new social group. Our results provide evidence in non-human animals that individuals use a simple social partner updating strategy in response to defection, supporting theoretical work applying heuristics to understanding the proximate mechanisms underpinning the evolution of cooperation among non-kin.


2010 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sun ◽  
C. Huang ◽  
X. Su ◽  
X. Zhao ◽  
Q. Dong

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