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Evidence that sensory traps can evolve into honest signals

Author

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  • Constantino Macías Garcia

    (Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, AP 70-275)

  • Elvia Ramirez

    (Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, AP 70-275)

Abstract

The gender trap The evolution of male ornaments is a puzzle, as they seem to ignore natural selection, which favours economy. They are usually explained as badges of genetic quality, or an arbitrary link to more functional female preferences. Experiments in Goodeinae, a small fish from central Mexico, show that the initial phase of ornament elaboration can be guided by sexual conflict in the form of a ‘sensory trap’ exploiting a pre-existing female bias. Females later learn to differentiate between model and ornament, then drive ornament elaboration through classic sexual selection. The male ornament in the goodeids, worm-like patterns on the tail fins, first evolved because females reacted to it with feeding behaviour (the sensory trap) but as tails grew more conspicuous (and costly), females began to respond with sexual behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Constantino Macías Garcia & Elvia Ramirez, 2005. "Evidence that sensory traps can evolve into honest signals," Nature, Nature, vol. 434(7032), pages 501-505, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:434:y:2005:i:7032:d:10.1038_nature03363
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03363
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin M B Downer-Bartholomew & F Helen Rodd, 2022. "Female preference for color-enhanced males: a test of the sensory bias model in medaka, a drab fish [A new system for marking hatchling turtles using visible implant elastomer]," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 33(1), pages 252-262.

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