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The evolutionary processes of sexual selection are investigated in this study by developing a new model for the evolution of epigamic traits and examining the effects of male-male competition, female choice and filial cannibalism in a field population of the Cortez damselfish (Stegastes rectifraenum). Two general processes have been proposed to explain the evolution of epigamic traits: the good genes process and the Fisherian process. A third process leading to the evolution of epigamic traits is presented here: the good parent process. Epigamic traits arise through this process by clarifying the differences in non-heritable parental quality among potential mates. A population genetic model is developed, which further suggests that increases in the frequency of good fathers in the population and phenotypic plasticity enhance the evolution of a good parent trait. The relative strengths of female choice and male-male competition were studied in S. rectifraenum by direct observation of reproductive behavior, and through field experiments. Male body size was found to be the single most important correlate of male reproductive success. Males were removed from their territories to determine the extent to which the vacant territories were valued by other local males. All of the territories were quickly recolonized by new males and sites that initially showed the highest reproductive success continued to be the most successful when new residents were present. A second experiment involved standardizing nests in 30 territories. Under these conditions male body size was no longer correlated with reproductive success, indicating that females are strongly influenced by variance in natural nest sites. Consequently, male-male competition over territories containing high quality nest sites, in combination with female choice of those sites, generates the observed correlation between male body size and reproductive success. Partial clutch filial cannibalism by male S. rectifraenum was studied in the same population. A group of custodial males were fed eggs, while controls remained unfed. Both groups were dissected on the next day to determine the number of eggs in their stomachs. Fed males had significantly fewer eggs in their guts, indicating that they indeed feed on the eggs they guard, rather than take them incidently during nest maintenance activities. A second egg feeding experiment showed that male behaviour and reproductive success are little affected by filial cannibalism; thus it is hypothesized that the energy gained by this behaviour is channelled primarily into growth and survival.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy JOHANNESBURG January 1996 / I investigated some evolutionary implications of female mate choice in a feral population of guppies (Poecllia reticultuai. I performed correlative and manipulative experiments to establish the relationship between female mate choice and other sexually selective forces including iutermale aggression and sneak copulation, and the exaggerated secondary sex characters (ornaments) of male guppies. Orange (carotenoid) ornamentation is the best predictor of male attractiveness and mating success, a relationship which held under manipulation. Black (melanin) is sometimes correlated with male mating success. Mnnipulatiug the black area of males reveals that it is important to male attractiveness, and this appears to be in the form of a signal amplifier of male orangeness. This is the fi.st experimental evidence for a visual signal amplifier. For both orange and black areas, the relationship between absolute area and fluctuating asymmetry is positive and significant, suggesting that neither is n signal of male condition. These results arc Interpreted in the context of theories of the evolution of multiple male ornaments. Females are able to express their preference for orange with the first mature male they ever encounter, uuggestlng an important role for genetic determination in female preferences. This is corroborated by high repeatability of female mate choice behaviour. Experience modifies a female's preferences as she is able to adjust her response to a male in relation to the ornamentation of (at least) the previous male she saw. Mate copying has no mensurable effect on the outcome of female mate choice decisions. / MT2016

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Advisor: Bennett Galef. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Supervisor: Michael J. Ryan. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-219). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

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Although sexual selection often explains the evolution and maintenance of a single male ornament, it is unclear how the multicomponent nature of most sexual displays evolves. Theoretical models suggest that handicap signalling should converge on a single most informative quality indicator, whereas additional signals are more likely to be arbitrary Fisherian traits, amplifiers, or exploitations of receiver psychology. Despite the predictions that multiple handicap signals are unlikely to be stable, the male nuptial plumage of the highly polygynous (ca. 3, but up to 9 actively nesting females) red-collared widowbird Euplectes ardens comprises two classic quality-indicating avian ornaments (handicaps); a long graduated tail (22 cm) and a red carotenoid throat patch (collar). To investigate the evolution and maintenance of these handicaps in the red-collared widowbird, a population was studied in the Hilton district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where these small (males ca. 20 g) African weaverbirds (Ploeceidae) inhabit a grassy valley during the breeding season. Multivariate selection analyses, used to investigate net, direct and indirect female selection, demonstrated an unusually strong fitness effect of natural tail length (47%) on male reproductive success (the order and total number of nests acquired). There were no other effects of morphology, ectoparasite load, display rate, territory quality, tail asymmetry or collar measures (hue, brightness and size) on reproductive success, suggesting that females base their mate choice exclusively on only one handicap signal, extreme tail elongation. Although ignored in mate choice, there is strong evidence that the variable carotenoid collar (ranging from yellow to red) functions as a status or agonistic signal in male contest competition for territories. Compared to 'floating' males (that did not establish a territory in the area), resident males had a 60% larger and 23 nm 'redder' (longwave hue) collar. Model presentations also corroborated the status signalling function of the collar as territorial males were less aggressive towards conspecific models with intense collar displays, and males with greater carotenoid investment responded more aggressively to the models. In captive experiments, non-breeding brown males painted with red 'collars' dominated orange painted, control brown, novel blue collared and testosterone-implanted males in dyadic contests over food resources. In addition, experiments in the field demonstrated that males manipulated with larger and redder collars established and maintained territories in the area, whereas most males with small, orange or blackened collars failed to establish or retain territories. Thus the size and particularly redness of the costly carotenoid collar reliably signals male status and fighting ability in male contests. The unique negative phenotypic relationship between the expression of tail length and carotenoid pigmentation, suggests strong overlapping developmental costs (and allocation conflicts) between the two handicap ornaments. This tradeoff is predicted to be strongest between signals with the same or similar costs. Although current theory predicts that multiple handicaps should be evolutionary unstable, the coexistence of multiple costly ornaments in the red-collared widowbird is stable because of selection by different receivers, females and males (i.e., multiple receivers). / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.