Menopause, the cessation of reproductive capabilities before death, is a detrimental trait for female fitness, yet persists in all human populations. Numerous hypotheses have been published to describe how menopause has been maintained but failed to explain the origin and genetic basis of this trait. In 2013, Morton et al. proposed an influence of the mate choice behaviour, specifically a bias in mating ages that could allow for a trait, seemingly detrimental to fitness, to become neutrally fixed in a population. The goal of our research, presented herein, is to understand the role of the mating system, the sexual behaviour of a group, and especially mate choice, on the origin and evolution of menopause under a serial monogamy scenario. Analysis was conducted using an agent-based computational model that simulated populations. The populations were generated according to specified demographic parameters and reproduced according to a serial monogamy mating system. With the model, parameters were investigated including population lifespan, fecundity, pairing eligibility, age of loss of fecundity, and timing of decay in fecundity. Simulations revealed that, under certain restrictions, menopause can neutrally evolve. When mate choice was restricted to a particular age preference bias, menopause can appear with no diminishment of fitness. This novel mode for the origin of menopause is inferred to result from the accumulation of deleterious mutations in the female genome. By combining this ability of fertility-diminishing mutations to accumulate with research into the genetic basis of menopause, we provide a system for the evolution of menopause in a population of serial monogamy. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Despite decades of research into menopause, there remains no clear understanding of how this deleterious trait came to persist in the human population. It has been proposed that a bias in mate choice such that only younger females are chosen to mate can result in the accumulation of deleterious mutations, ultimately leading to menopause. We analyzed the evolution of menopause under a mating system of serial monogamy by a computational simulation. We came to three main conclusions. Firstly, under modern demographic parameters, menopause cannot evolve under serial monogamy. Secondly, in a population of shortened longevity, similar to chimpanzee, menopause neutrally appears at an age presently experienced by women. Finally, when mate choice is restricted such that only young females are eligible to mate within a system of serial monogamy, menopause can evolve. This means with the current mate choice shift towards older women, menopause can be postponed or even eliminated.

Menopause, the complete cessation of menstrual cycles, apparently is a detrimental trait, yet all women experience it. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the origin of menopause, but none has been satisfactory. In 2013, Morton et al. proposed a mate choice hypothesis to explain menopause and, using a computational model, showed how a bias in mating (i.e., older men preferring younger women) could have allowed such an otherwise detrimental trait to evolve neutrally through accumulation of female fertility-reducing mutations. To investigate whether biased mating could affect fecundity and fertility in a real system, two experimental populations were established using Drosophila melanogaster. Older males were mated with younger females and vice versa. Information was obtained, including data on fecundity, fertility, ovariole and matured egg chambers, and lifespan, for experimental, age-restricted-mating and control populations. A negative effect on the fecundity and fertility of the younger-mating sex was observed in restricted-mating compared to control populations. Age-restricted mating had no effect on longevity. Menopause could evolve according to the mate choice hypothesis. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / All animals are expected to remain fertile until they die. Menopause is an enigma and an unsolved problem in evolutionary biology. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain menopause, but there is no clear understanding of how this fertility reducing trait evolved in the human population. It has been proposed that biased mate choice i.e., preference for younger females can lead to accumulation of fertility-reducing mutations and the evolution of menopause. In this study, mate choice theory was tested using altered (biased) mating schemes with Drosophila melanogaster and the results support the mate choice theory of menopause.

We previously reported that ovulation rate, but not pregnancy rate or litter size at d 30 post-mating, was enhanced by gonadotropin treatment (P.G. 600; Intervet America Inc., Millsboro, DE) in gilts fed a progestin (Regu-mate; Intervet America Inc.) compared with gilts receiving progestin alone. We hypothesized that P.G. 600 altered the timing of ovulation, therefore mating gilts 12 and 24 h after first detection of estrus, as is common in the swine industry, may not have been the most appropriate breeding regimen. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with Regu-mate. Randomly cycling, crossbred gilts (5.5 m of age, 117 kg BW, and 14.7 mm BF) were fed a diet containing Regu-mate to provide 15 mg/d for 18 d. Twenty-four h after Regu-mate withdrawal, gilts received i.m. P.G. 600 (n = 25) or saline (n = 25). Gilts were checked for estrus at 8 h intervals. After first detection of estrus, trans-rectal ultrasonography was performed at 8 h intervals to determine the time of ovulation. Gilts were killed 9 to 11 d after the onset of estrus to determine ovulation rate. All gilts displayed estrus by 7 d after treatment with P.G. 600 or saline. Compared with saline, P.G. 600 increased (P = 0.07) ovulation rate (14.8 + 1.1 vs. 17.5 + 1.0, respectively). The intervals from injection-to-estrus (98.4 + 2.7 vs. 110.9 + 2.7 h; P < 0.01) and injection-to-ovulation (128.6 + 2.8 vs. 141.9 + 3.2 h; P < 0.01) were decreased in gilts treated with P.G. 600 compared with gilts treated with saline. Estrus duration (54.4 + 2.3 vs. 53.7 + 2.5 h; P = 0.83), estrus-to-ovulation (30.2 + 2.0 vs. 31.7 + 2.2 h; P = 0.62) and time of ovulation as a percentage of duration of estrus (55.8 + 2.7 vs. 57.5 + 3.0%; P = 0.67) were similar for the P.G. 600 and saline-injected gilts, respectively. In summary, P.G. 600 advanced the onset of estrus and ovulation following termination of Regu-mate treatment and increased ovulation rate. However, treatment of gilts with P.G. 600 had no effect on the timing of ovulation relative to the onset of estrus. / Master of Science

Submitted by Eunice Novais (enovais@uepg.br) on 2018-05-07T18:21:20Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Bruna de Fatima P Schmite.pdf: 1583341 bytes, checksum: 0cbad71cd214749ae6e87e91447ced22 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-07T18:21:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Bruna de Fatima P Schmite.pdf: 1583341 bytes, checksum: 0cbad71cd214749ae6e87e91447ced22 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O chá-mate é uma bebida muito consumida nos estados do Sul do Brasil, não só devido ao seu sabor e aroma, mas também por suas propriedades terapêuticas. Tais propriedades estão associadas à presença de diversos constituintes químicos em sua composição, como polifenóis, flavonoides, vitaminas e minerais. Esses minerais podem ser essenciais ao organismo humano, ou altamente tóxicos, dependendo da forma e concentração. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos determinar as concentrações totais de Cd, Cu, Pb e Al em chá-mate comercial, bem como o conteúdo desses elementos em infusões preparadas à temperatura ambiente (frio) e a quente. As concentrações de fenólicos em infusões também foram determinadas utilizando o método Folin-Ciocalteu. Além disso, avaliar as frações bioacessíveis desses elementos e, ainda verificar se a adição de alguns ingredientes as infusões (canela, limão, mel e açúcar) pode influenciar na biodisponibilidade do alumínio. As quantificações foram realizadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica em forno de grafite e em chama. Para os teores totais a abertura de amostra, por via úmida (otimizada por planejamento fatorial) apresentou os melhores resultados, em relação a via seca. As concentrações totais para as quatro marcas estudadas variaram: Cd (0,08 à 0,320 μg g-1); Pb (0,36 à 0,44 μg g-1); Cu (10,3 à 12 μg g-1) e Al (347 à 526 μg g-1). Para as infusões os teores superiores de Al e Cd foram encontrados nas infusões a quente, enquanto que para o Cu e o Pb os maiores teores foram nas infusões a frio. Com isso, a ordem de extração nas infusões tanto a quente quanto a frio foi Cd>Pb>Al>Cu. Com relação aos teores de fenólicos, as maiores concentrações foram obtidas nas infusões a quente variando de 13 a 17 mg g-1. Nos estudos de bioacessibilidade in vitro empregando o método de simulação gástrica (PBET) os elementos Cd e Cu foram os metais mais bioacessíveis, enquanto o Al foi encontrado em forma relativamente inerte (baixa bioacessibilidade). Verificou-se também que o consumo diário de 100 mL da bebida, por um adulto, não ultrapassa os limites de ingestão diária desses metais recomendável pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Por fim, verificou-se que a adição de ingredientes às bebidas, como o açúcar e mel podem diminuir os teores biodisponíveis de Al. / Yerba mate tea is a widely consumed drink in the southern states of Brazil, not only because of its flavor and aroma, but also due to its therapeutic properties. Such properties are associated with the presence of several chemical constituents in its composition, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. These minerals may be essential to the human body, or highly toxic, depending on their form and concentration. In this sense, this study aimed to determine the total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Al in commercial mate tea, as well as the content of these elements in infusions prepared at room temperature (cold) and hot; to determine phenolic concentrations in infusions using the Folin-Ciocalteu method; to evaluate the bioaccessible fractions of these elements and to verify whether the addition of some ingredients to the infusions (cinnamon, lemon, honey and sugar) may influence the bioavailability of aluminium. The quantifications were performed using atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization in graphite and flame furnace. For total content analyses, the wet route (optimized by factorial planning) showed the best results when compared to the dry route. The total concentrations for the four brands studied varied: Cd (0.08 to 0.320 μg g-1); Pb (0.36 to 0.44 μg g -1); Cu (10.3 to 12 μg g -1) and Al (347 to 526 μg g -1). Regarding infusions, the highest contents of Al and Cd were found in the hot infusions, while cold infusion presented the highest levels of Cu and Pb. Thus, the order of extraction in hot and cold infusions was Cd> Pb> Al> Cu. With respect to the phenolic contents, the highest concentrations were obtained in the hot infusions ranging from 13 to 17 mg g-1. In the in vitro bioaccessibility studies using the gastric simulation method (PBET) the Cd and Cu elements were the most bioaccessible metals, while Al was found in relatively inert (low bioaccessibility) form. It was also found that the daily consumption of 100 ml of the drink by an adult does not exceed the limits of daily intake of these metals recommended by the World Health Organization. It was also verified that the addition of ingredients such as sugar and honey to these beverages may decrease the bioavailable levels of Al.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-05-08T14:43:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Jose Amande da Silva.pdf: 2114601 bytes, checksum: 4cdb2839ee1085484ed050cb0972a5fd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-08T14:43:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Jose Amande da Silva.pdf: 2114601 bytes, checksum: 4cdb2839ee1085484ed050cb0972a5fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-16 / A gestão eficiente de dados agrícolas é dependente de informações de diversos sistemas, equipamentos e tecnologias computacionais que nem sempre são intercambiáveis. Esses dados estão distribuídos em sistemas e máquinas que tem formas diferentes de gerenciamento. Uma solução para a padronização e melhoria na troca de dados, com a formalização das informações está no uso de ontologias e metadados. Com isso, é possível realizar o mapeamento dos principais processos na cadeia produtiva de determinada cultura. Uma aplicação direta é utilizar os dados para a rastreabilidade e aumentar a segurança nos produtos, pois é possível determinar a origem e movimentação dos produtos. Nesta pesquisa foi mapeado os processos de produção da erva-mate (Ilex Paraguariensis St. Hill.), por meio de uma ontologia de domínio, resultando em estruturas de informação para intercâmbio e rastreabilidade de dados agrícolas, melhorando os processos e gestão das informações. Para o processo de desenvolvimento da ontologia foi utilizada a Ferramenta Protégé, aplicando a Metodologia Ontology Development 101. Como resultado é apresentado um sistema de representação de conhecimento para a criação de padrão de metadados contribuindo para a melhoria do processo de intercâmbio de dados para a cultura da erva-mate. / The efficient management of agricultural data is dependent on information from diverse systems, equipment and computational technologies that are not always interchangeable. This data is distributed across systems and machines that have different forms of management. A solution for the standardization and improvement in data exchange, with the formalization of information is in the use of ontologies and metadata. With this, it is possible to map the main processes in the production chain of a particular crop. A straightforward application is to use the data for traceability and increase product safety, as it is possible to determine the origin and movement of products. In this research we mapped the production processes of the yerba mate (Ilex Paraguariensis St. Hill.), Through a domain ontology, resulting in information structures for the exchange and traceability of agricultural data, improving the processes and information management. For the ontology development process, the Protégé Tool was used, applying the Ontology Development Methodology 101. As a result, a knowledge representation system for the creation of metadata standards was presented, contributing to the improvement of the data exchange process for the culture of the yerba mate.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alfredo_de_Gouvea.pdf: 585120 bytes, checksum: 13327c6fef592e68ebb2f4a789930eea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-03-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The advance and spread agricultural frontiers and the necessity to meet the needs of market has lead to a change in the mate-tea growth system in the Southern region of Brazil. Pest problems, previously unnoticed in the extraction system, have increased in importance, due to the implantation of single vegetable species, which has lead to the simplification of the environment, with increasingly larger economical losses. More than eighty animal species feed from different parts of the mate-tea plant. A good management is crucial and it should take into consideration the several factors relevant to this peculiar environment, so that disturbances do not promote populational explosions of some of these species. In the event of any such unbalance, the result would be increased cost and decreased quality of the product. In the context, this study was conducted in Dois Vizinhos town, in the State of Paraná, with the objective of studying the phytophagous mites and their population dynamics, as well as that of their natural predators. For this reason, leaf samples from different parts of the plant have been taken, and the number of mites was counted. This research has been done from August 2001 to July 2002. During this period, two species of phytophagous mites, Dichopelmus notus Keifer, 1960 and Oligonichus yothersi (McGregor), 1914, and three species of predators identified as Euseius concordis (Chant, 1959), Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, 1972and Agistemus sp. were related to the mate-tea plant. The D. notus mite has appeared in large numbers in mature leaves and in the inferior face of leaves. It was more frequent in the inferior part of leaves belonging to the inferior and medium stratum and in leaves from the internal canopy. On the other hand, O. yothersi has mainly occurred in mature leaves, in their superior face. The concentration of E. concordis e I. zuluagai has been larger in the inferior face of the leaves belonging to the inferior and medium stratum, as well as in the inferior face of the leaves in the internal canopy region, and in the inferior face of mature leaves. D. notus, O. yothersi, E.concordis and I. zuluagai mites have attained the ir highest population numbers in periods of mild temperatures and little rain precipitation. In leaves from the external canopy, the largest population density of Agistemus sp. has occurred in periods of high temperature and heavy rain. There was indication of mutual influence between these species. / O avanço da fronteira agrícola e a necessidade de atender um mercado em crescimento, levaram a uma mudança no sistema de cultivo da erva-mate, Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilarie, na região Sul do Brasil. Os problemas fitossanitários, desapercebidos no sistema e exploração extrativista, começaram a ter importância, pois a implantação do monocultivo levou à simplificação do ambiente e as perdas passaram a ser economicamente significativas. Por ser uma essência nativa, a erva-mate possui mais de oitenta espécies de animais se alimentando de diferentes partes da planta. Um manejo que considere os diversos fatores envolvidos neste agroecossistema particular é fundamental para que perturbações não venham promover uma explosão populacional de algumas destas espécies, podendo aumentar o custo de produção e baixa a qualidade do produto. Neste contexto foi realizado em Dois Vizinhos-PR um trabalho com objetivo de estudar a dinâmica populacional de ácaros fitófagos e seus predadores. Para tanto, foram realizadas de agosto de 2001 a julho de 2002, coletas de folhas de diferentes partes da planta e contado o número de ácaro ao microscópio estereoscópico. Durante o período estudado foram constadas associadas às plantas de erva-mate duas espécies de ácaros fitófagos Dichopelmus notus Keifer, 1960 e Oligonichus yothersi (McGregor), 1914 e três espécies de predadores identificados como sendo Euseius concordis (Chant, 1959), Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, 1972 e Agistemus sp. O ácaro D. notus ocorreu em maior número em folhas maduras e na face inferior de folhas dos estratos inferior e médio e nas folhas da região interna da copa e O yothersi predominou em folhas maduras e na face superior das folhas. A concentração de E. concordis e I. zuluagai sempre foi maior na face inferior das folhas maduras localizadas nos estratos inferior e médio, na região interna da copa. Os ácaros D. notus, O. yothersi, E. concordis e I. zuluagai tiveram picos populacionais em período de temperatura amena e baixa precipitação pluviométrica. Nas folhas da região externa da copa das plantas a maior densidade populacional de Agistemus sp. também ocorreu na face inferior, mas seu pico populacional ocorreu em período de alta temperatura e precipitação pluviométrica elevada, sendo observado indicadores de influência mutua entre estas espécies.

INTRODUÇÃO: A reação de Maillard ocorre em alimentos termicamente processados e também em sistemas biológicos, em que é chamada de glicação. Esta reação ocorre entre grupos carbonilas e grupamentos aminas e tem especial importância em alimentos, pois promovem alterações sensoriais importantes ao sabor, aroma, aparência e textura. Em sistemas biológicos, entretanto, podem acarretar mudanças em estruturas moleculares que favorecem o estresse oxidativo e participam da patogenia de complicações micro e macro vasculares características da diabetes, aterosclerose e doenças neurodegenativas. Os compostos carbonílicos ou produtos da reação de Maillard (PRMs) formados em alimentos contribuem para o aumento do pool endógeno de compostos carbonílicos. A utilização de substâncias ou alimentos que possam minimizar a formação destes compostos pode constituir-se em uma estratégia para minimizar a sua ingestão. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da adição de extrato etanólico de erva-mate verde na inibição da reação de Maillard em sistemas modelo alimento. METODOLOGIA: Foram elaborados modelos de biscoito e lácteos com e sem lipídios. Os teores de produtos da reação de Maillard [furosina (FUR), hidroximetilfurfural (HMF), carboximetilisina (CML) e produtos fluorescentes (IF)] foram avaliados. O extrato etanólico foi obtido por extração contínua a quente da erva-mate verde seca e caracterizado quanto aos teores de compostos fenólicos, cafeína e saponinas por cromatografia líquida. A intensidade de fluorescência dos sistemas foi avaliada por espectrofotometria, os teores de FUR e HMF foram analisados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e de CML por ELISA. RESULTADOS: O extrato etanólico de erva-mate apresentou 155µg mg -1 de fenólicos totais, 76µg mg -1 de cafeína, 5µg mg de ácido ursólico e 3µg mg -1 de ácido oleanóico. A formação de HMF, FUR e IF nos sistemas modelo de biscoito não foi influenciada pela adição do extrato de erva-mate. O teor de CML do modelo com extrato do sistema de biscoito foi significativamente menor (p<0,05) em que os outros tratamentos com aquecimento, a porcentagem de inibição foi de 8%. A formação dos IF nos sistemas modelos lácteos adicionados de extrato foram significativamente menores (p<0,05) comparado aos modelos lácteos com aquecimento sem adição de extrato, a porcentagem de inibição foi de 30% para o modelo sem lipídeos e de 27% para o modelo com lipídeos. CONCLUSÃO: A adição do extrato etanólico da erva-mate verde foi efetiva em diminuir a reação de Maillard nos modelos de biscoito e lácteos. / INTRODUCTION: the Maillard reaction (MR) occurs in processed foods during heating, processing and storage and in biological systems, where it is called glycation. The MR is initiated by the condensation of amino groups of proteins with the carbonyl group of reducing sugars and has special importance in foods, because they promote sensory changes important to the flavor, aroma, color and texture. In biological systems, this reaction are involved in the progression of several diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular complications and neurodegenerative diseases. The Maillard reaction products contribute to increase the endogenous pool of carbonyl compounds. The use of substances or foods that can minimize the formation of these compounds may constitute a strategy to minimize your intake. OBJECTIVES: evaluate the effect of addition of the ethanolic extract of yerba mate in inhibition of the Maillard reaction in model food systems. METHODS: were developed cookies and milk models food systems. The content of Maillard reaction products [Furosine (FUR), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), carboxymethyllysine (CML) and fluorescent compounds (IF)] were evaluated. The yerba mate extract was obtained by hot continuous extraction and characterized for the levels of phenolic compounds and saponins by liquid chromatography. The contents of the fluorescent compounds (IF) was measured by spectrophotometric method, HMF and FUR were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and the levels of CML by ELISA. RESULTS: The yerba mate extract contained 155g mg -1 of total phenolics, 76g mg -1 of caffeine, 5g mg of ursolic acid and 3g mg -1 of oleanolic acid. The formation of HMF, FUR and IF in cookie systems was not influenced by the addition of the yerba mate extract. The CML content of the cookie model with yerba mate extract was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other treatments with heating. The IF milk models added extract were significantly lower (p <0.05) than the IF milk models with heating without extract. CONCLUSION: The yerba mate extract reduced the formation of CML in the cookie system and inhibit the Maillard reaction in the intermediate stage in milk systems.

Although humans engage in committed, long-term pair bonds, many romantic relationships end because one partner no longer desires to be in the relationship. Much of the literature on romantic relationship psychology and behavior has focused on mechanisms related to maintaining a partner. Mate retention behavior functions to deter romantic partners from defection and fend off potential alternative partners. However, when individuals are in a relationship where the costs of remaining in the relationship outweigh the benefits of leaving the relationship, mate expulsion, not retention, may be the desired goal. The present thesis examines mate expulsion behavior and psychology with the goal of developing a measure of mate expulsion to parallel a widely-used measure of mate retention. In my pilot studies, participants (n= 103) nominated behaviors and tactics that people use to reduce commitment in and terminate relationships. I identified 168 unique mate expulsion behaviors from these nominations that fell in the following four categories:signaling a lack of commitment to their partner, signaling their availability to others potential partners, extracting oneself from shared relationship commitments or investments, and reducing dependency on one’s partner or relationship. A separate set of participants (n= 131) rated the frequency with which they had used the behaviors, or had seen their partner use the behaviors, in their actual past break-ups. This procedure reduced the list of utilized tactics to 51 mate expulsion behaviors. A third set of participants (n = 290) in relationships rated the frequency with which they engaged in the 51 behaviors in their current relationship and completed measures of relationships satisfaction and mate retention. As expected, mate expulsion was negatively related to relationship satisfaction. I conducted a preliminary factor analysis using these data, which revealed 7 clusters of mate expulsion behavior: For my thesis, I collected a larger, less gender-biased sample to 1) confirm the factor structure of the mate expulsion inventory and 2) examine the relationships between the mate expulsion inventory, mate retention, and relationship satisfaction. Participants (n = 410) completed the Couple Satisfaction Index-16, the Mate Retention Inventory Short-Form, and the Mate Expulsion Inventory. Mate expulsion was again negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction and a similar, small positive correlation was replicated between mate expulsion and mate retention. My hypothesized model for the confirmatory factor analysis was acceptable but not excellent. I attempted several modifications to improve the measures of fit. Ultimately, the best model included the removal of specific items and eliminating a latent variable. This thesis produced a concise list of mate expulsion behaviors and has expanded on the literature of mating psychology in respect to relationship termination. These results suggest human mating psychology may include mechanisms that function to terminate and maintain relationships.

<p>This thesis integrates the fields of sexual selection, parental investment and sex role theory by investigating mutual mate choice and mate competition in the sex role reversed deep snouted pipefish <i>Syngnathus typhle</i> (Pisces: Syngnathidae) through a series of laboratory experiments. In<i> S. typhle</i>, the female transfers her eggs to the male's brood pouch where they are nourished and oxygenated for about a month, when the male gives birth to the independent fry.</p><p>Mate choice was found to be adaptive. Both sexes benefited from mating with preferred partners in terms of increased offspring viability and got larger, or faster growing, offspring when mating with large fish. Females were also shown to prefer males with thicker brood pouches. Thus, females, the more competitive sex, had multiple preferences. Both male and female choice behaviour was found to be flexible and influenced by available information on partner quality. In addition, males, but not females, copied the mate choice of consexuals. </p><p>Both sexes were found to take their own quality in relation to surrounding competitors into account when deciding whether to display to potential partners. Male-male competition was found to influence both the mate choice of males and, potentially, overrule the mate choice of females. Males did not compete as intensely as females, nor did they use their sexual ornament in this context as females do. Rather, the ornament was used in interactions with females, and males that displayed more received more eggs.</p><p>The findings in this thesis emphasise the importance of not viewing mate choice and competition as opposite behaviours, but rather to apply a dynamic approach in mate choice studies, integrating choice and competition in both sex</p>

This thesis integrates the fields of sexual selection, parental investment and sex role theory by investigating mutual mate choice and mate competition in the sex role reversed deep snouted pipefish Syngnathus typhle (Pisces: Syngnathidae) through a series of laboratory experiments. In S. typhle, the female transfers her eggs to the male's brood pouch where they are nourished and oxygenated for about a month, when the male gives birth to the independent fry. Mate choice was found to be adaptive. Both sexes benefited from mating with preferred partners in terms of increased offspring viability and got larger, or faster growing, offspring when mating with large fish. Females were also shown to prefer males with thicker brood pouches. Thus, females, the more competitive sex, had multiple preferences. Both male and female choice behaviour was found to be flexible and influenced by available information on partner quality. In addition, males, but not females, copied the mate choice of consexuals. Both sexes were found to take their own quality in relation to surrounding competitors into account when deciding whether to display to potential partners. Male-male competition was found to influence both the mate choice of males and, potentially, overrule the mate choice of females. Males did not compete as intensely as females, nor did they use their sexual ornament in this context as females do. Rather, the ornament was used in interactions with females, and males that displayed more received more eggs. The findings in this thesis emphasise the importance of not viewing mate choice and competition as opposite behaviours, but rather to apply a dynamic approach in mate choice studies, integrating choice and competition in both sex