Effect of agonistic profile of males in mate choice in female nile tilapia

Abstract

Selection favors females who access reliable information on the genetic quality of males. Females may choose their phenotypic characteristics, including sexual displays, colors, coloring, bridal ornaments, pheromones, body size and quality of territory. On the other hand, completion for resources occurs more often among males, being the aggression the most common type of competition. Although studies show that females prefer dominant males, may not be adaptive to females choose very aggressive males. Thus, it is expected that the female form a more fine assessment when selecting male, in order to avoid the overly aggressive males. The Nile tilapia appears to be an appropriate animal to test this dilemma, because it shows dominance hierarchy, where dominant males defend territories, build nests, court females and have priority access to mating. Although tilapia uses vision as an important means of information transfer between males and females, also uses chemical communication to inform / access status and characteristics related to fitness, such as nutritional status of males. Thus, it will be test if females can select, by means of chemical cues, the aggressive profile males, choosing dominant males, more or less aggressive. (AU)