@misc{BierbachSchulteHerrmannetal.2011,
  author    = {Bierbach, David and Schulte, Matthias and Herrmann, Nina and Tobler, Michael and Stadler, Stefan and Jung, Christian T. and Kunkel, Benjamin and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Klaus, Sebastian and Ziege, Madlen and Indy, Jeane Rimber and Arias-Rodriguez, Lenin and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Predator-induced changes of female mating preferences},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {984},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-43109},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431099},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background In many species males face a higher predation risk than females because males display elaborate traits that evolved under sexual selection, which may attract not only females but also predators. Females are, therefore, predicted to avoid such conspicuous males under predation risk. The present study was designed to investigate predator-induced changes of female mating preferences in Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana). Males of this species show a pronounced polymorphism in body size and coloration, and females prefer large, colorful males in the absence of predators. Results In dichotomous choice tests predator-na{\"i}ve (lab-reared) females altered their initial preference for larger males in the presence of the cichlid Cichlasoma salvini, a natural predator of P. mexicana, and preferred small males instead. This effect was considerably weaker when females were confronted visually with the non-piscivorous cichlid Vieja bifasciata or the introduced non-piscivorous Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In contrast, predator experienced (wild-caught) females did not respond to the same extent to the presence of a predator, most likely due to a learned ability to evaluate their predators' motivation to prey. Conclusions Our study highlights that (a) predatory fish can have a profound influence on the expression of mating preferences of their prey (thus potentially affecting the strength of sexual selection), and females may alter their mate choice behavior strategically to reduce their own exposure to predators. (b) Prey species can evolve visual predator recognition mechanisms and alter their mate choice only when a natural predator is present. (c) Finally, experiential effects can play an important role, and prey species may learn to evaluate the motivational state of their predators.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BierbachSchulteHerrmannetal.2011,
  author    = {Bierbach, David and Schulte, Matthias and Herrmann, Nina and Tobler, Michael and Stadler, Stefan and Jung, Christian T. and Kunkel, Benjamin and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Klaus, Sebastian and Ziege, Madlen and Rimber Indy, Jeane and Arias-Rodriguez, Lenin and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Predator-induced changes of female mating preferences innate and experiential effects},
  series = {BMC evolutionary biology},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {BMC evolutionary biology},
  number    = {3-4},
  publisher = {BioMed Central},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {1471-2148},
  doi       = {10.1186/1471-2148-11-190},
  pages     = {10},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background: In many species males face a higher predation risk than females because males display elaborate traits that evolved under sexual selection, which may attract not only females but also predators. Females are, therefore, predicted to avoid such conspicuous males under predation risk. The present study was designed to investigate predator-induced changes of female mating preferences in Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana). Males of this species show a pronounced polymorphism in body size and coloration, and females prefer large, colorful males in the absence of predators. Results: In dichotomous choice tests predator-naive (lab-reared) females altered their initial preference for larger males in the presence of the cichlid Cichlasoma salvini, a natural predator of P. mexicana, and preferred small males instead. This effect was considerably weaker when females were confronted visually with the non-piscivorous cichlid Vieja bifasciata or the introduced non-piscivorous Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In contrast, predator experienced (wild-caught) females did not respond to the same extent to the presence of a predator, most likely due to a learned ability to evaluate their predators' motivation to prey. Conclusions: Our study highlights that (a) predatory fish can have a profound influence on the expression of mating preferences of their prey (thus potentially affecting the strength of sexual selection), and females may alter their mate choice behavior strategically to reduce their own exposure to predators. (b) Prey species can evolve visual predator recognition mechanisms and alter their mate choice only when a natural predator is present. (c) Finally, experiential effects can play an important role, and prey species may learn to evaluate the motivational state of their predators.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BierbachKronmarckHennigeSchulzetal.2011,
  author    = {Bierbach, David and Kronmarck, Claudia and Hennige-Schulz, Carmen and Stadler, Stefan and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Sperm competition risk affects male mate choice copying},
  series = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology},
  volume    = {65},
  journal   = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology},
  number    = {9},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {0340-5443},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00265-011-1177-3},
  pages     = {1699 -- 1707},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Mate choice copying was mostly described as a strategy employed by females to assess the quality of potential mates, but also males can copy other males' mate choice. An open question in this context is whether and how copying males evaluate sperm competition risk, as mating with a female that has already copulated with another male obviously sets the stage for intense sperm competition (i.e., in species with internal fertilization). Using the livebearing Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) as a model, we asked (a) whether males of that species indeed copy other males' choices, and if they do so, (b) whether copying males strategically adjust their behavior to sperm competition risk. We used an approach where focal males could first choose to associate with a large or a small stimulus female. Mate choice tests were then repeated after an "observation phase" during which either no model male was present (treatment 1, control) or the previously non-preferred female could be seen associating (treatment 2) or physically interacting (treatment 3) with a model male. We found that, after the observation phase, males spent considerably more time with the previously non-preferred female in treatment (2), i.e., they copied the model male's choice. This effect was much weaker during treatment (3) where sexual interactions between the model male and the formerly non-preferred female were allowed. Males, therefore, seem to adjust their copying behavior strategically to the perceived risk of sperm competition.},
  language  = {en}
}