Dynamic Courtship Signals and Mate Preferences in Sepia plangon

This paper studies the evolution of mate preferences throughout the twentieth century in France. I digitized all the matrimonial ads published in France’s best-selling monthly magazine from 1928 to 1994. Using dictionary-based methods, I show that mate preferences were mostly stable during the Great Depression, WWII, and the ensuing economic boom. These preferences started transforming in the late 1960s when economic criteria were progressively replaced by personality criteria. The timing coincides with profound family and demographic changes in French society. These findings suggest that, in the search for a long-term partner, non-material needs have replaced material ones.

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Social constraints on female mate preferences in mallards, Anas platyrhynchos, decrease offspring viability and mother productivity

Animal Behaviour ◽

10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.01.013 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 68 (5) ◽

pp. 977-983 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Cynthia K. Bluhm ◽

Patricia Adair Gowaty

Keyword(s):

Anas Platyrhynchos ◽

Mate Preferences ◽

Social Constraints ◽

Female Mate

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Courtship displays and mounting calls are honest, condition-dependent signals that influence mounting success in Hermann's tortoises

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z05-130 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 83 (10) ◽

pp. 1306-1313 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

P Galeotti ◽

R Sacchi ◽

M Fasola ◽

D Pellitteri Rosa ◽

M Marchesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Frequency Modulation ◽

Call Rate ◽

Multiple Traits ◽

Sexual Interaction ◽

Courtship Intensity ◽

Male Condition ◽

Testudo Hermanni ◽

Courtship Signals ◽

Male Morphology ◽

Rate Frequency

Like other terrestrial tortoises, the courtship behaviour of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789) is based on a multiple signalling system that involves visual, olfactory, tactile, and acoustic signals. In this study, we analysed relationships between male morphology, hematological profile, courtship intensity, vocalizations, and mounting success in Hermann's tortoises breeding in semi-natural enclosures to investigate the effects of male condition on signals exhibited during courtship and on their mounting success. Results showed that mounting success of Hermann's tortoise males was positively affected by the number of sexual interactions/h, number of bites given to the female during interactions, and by call rate and frequency-modulation range. Call rate, frequency-modulation range, and number of sexual interaction/h increased with hematocrit value, while number of bites given to females decreased with leukocyte concentration. In conclusion, courtship signals exhibited by Hermann's tortoise males, including vocalizations, reliably reveal different components of male condition, and females may use these multiple traits to choose high-quality partners. This is the first study documenting the condition-dependent nature of tortoise courting signals and their effect on male mounting success.

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