Does mate preference represent mate choice? A cross-cultural investigation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-81
Author(s):  
Anthonieta Looman Mafra ◽  
Maryanne L. Fisher ◽  
Fívia de Araújo Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Mate Preference

Female mate preference varies with age and environmental conditions

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (14) ◽  
pp. 2059-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurtis R. Munro ◽  
Nancy J. Flood ◽  
Ann E. McKellar ◽  
Matthew W. Reudink
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Physical Attractiveness ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Resource Holding Potential ◽  
Female Mate Preference ◽  
Female Mate ◽  
Emotional Appeal ◽  
Written Descriptions

Sexual selection and mate choice are dynamic processes that can be influenced by a variety of environmental and social factors, which have been well studied in a range of taxa. However, in humans, the environmental factors that influence regional variation in preference for mate attributes remain poorly understood. In addition, underlying variation based on individual age may strongly influence mate preferences. In this study, we examined written descriptions of preferred mates from the online dating profiles of 1111 women from 26 cities across Canada. We grouped the words describing preferred mates into four categories: resource holding potential, physical attractiveness, activities and interests, and emotional appeal. We then asked whether variation in environmental (sex ratio, population size and population density), economic (population income) and individual factors (age) predicted variation in the relative importance of these four categories of female mate preference. Sex ratio was the best predictor of preference for the physical attractiveness and the activities and interests of potential mates, with women in male-biased cities placing more emphasis on physical attractiveness and less emphasis on activities and interests. Age was the best predictor of preference for resource holding potential, with younger individuals placing more emphasis on this trait. No factors were strong predictors of variation in preference for emotional appeal, perhaps because this trait was highly valued in all populations. This work supports a growing body of literature demonstrating that mate choice and mate preferences are often dynamic and can be influenced by individual and environmental variation.

scholarly journals Marriage does not relate to major histocompatibility complex: a genetic analysis based on 3691 couples

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1936) ◽  
pp. 20201800
Author(s):  
Ilona Croy ◽  
Gerhard Ritschel ◽  
Denise Kreßner-Kiel ◽  
Laura Schäfer ◽  
Thomas Hummel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Relationship Initiation ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Postcode Area

Optimization of chances for healthy offspring is thought to be one of the factors driving mate choice and compatibility of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is assumed to determine the offspring's fitness. While humans have been claimed to be able to perceive information of MHC compatibility via the olfactory channel, it remains unknown whether humans use such information for mate choice. By investigation of 3691 married couples, we observed that the high polymorphism of MHC leads to a low chance for homozygous offspring. MHC similarity between couples did not differ from chance, we hence observed no MHC effect in married couples. Hormonal contraception at the time of relationship initiation had no significant effect towards enhanced similarity. A low variety of alleles within a postcode area led to a higher likelihood of homozygous offspring. Based on this data, we conclude that there is no pattern of MHC dis-assortative mating in a genetically diverse Western society. We discuss the question of olfactory mate preference, in-group mating bias and the high polymorphism as potential explanations.

scholarly journals Comment on “Cultural flies: Conformist social learning in fruitflies predicts long-lasting mate-choice traditions”

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 366 (6462) ◽  
pp. eaaw8012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Thornquist ◽  
Michael A. Crickmore
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Experimental Error ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Mate Copying

The claims of Danchin et al. (Research Articles, 30 November 2018, p. 1025) regarding long-lasting mate preference based on conformity may result from systematic experimental error. Even if mate copying were a genuine phenomenon, it is unlikely to result in persisting culture in the wild.

Mate Choice versus Mate Preference: Inferences about Color-Assortative Mating Differ between Field and Lab Assays of Poison Frog Behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 193 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusan Yang ◽  
Simone Blomenkamp ◽  
Matthew B. Dugas ◽  
Corinne L. Richards-Zawacki ◽  
Heike Pröhl
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Poison Frog

scholarly journals Male ultraviolet reflectance and female mating history influence female mate choice and male mating success in a polyandrous lizard

2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 586-598
Author(s):  
Arnaud Badiane ◽  
Mélissa Martin ◽  
Sandrine Meylan ◽  
Murielle Richard ◽  
Beatriz Decencière Ferrandière ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Fertilization Success ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Female Mate ◽  
Female Mating ◽  
Mating History ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Uv Coloration

Abstract Pre-copulatory female mate choice based on male ultraviolet (UV) coloration has been demonstrated in several vertebrate species; however, post-copulatory mechanisms have been largely overlooked. Here, we investigated female mate preference based on male UV coloration in the common lizard Zootoca vivipara, in which males display conspicuous UV coloration on their throat. During two successive years, we staged sequential mating trials between females and four different males with UV-reduced or control belly and throat coloration. We recorded pre-copulatory female behaviour, copulation behaviour and assigned paternity to all offspring. Females were more aggressive towards UV-reduced males and, during the second year, UV-reduced males had a lower probability of siring at least one egg (fertilization success) during the last mating trials. However, in the second year, copulation was shorter with control males. Altogether, our results suggest that females exert subtle pre-copulatory mate preference based on male UV ornaments and, conditional on the study year and female mating history, some degree of post-copulatory preference for UV-control males leading to differential male fertilization success. This study suggests that UV-based female mate choice may be more widespread than previously thought in vertebrates, and emphasizes the importance of using a study design well adapted to the species reproductive behaviour.

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