Female preference counteracts negative frequency dependent selection for a stable polymorphism in a livebearing fish

Abstract

The maintenance of variation within natural populations is key for natural selection to operate. Polymorphism is an intriguing form of variation that involves the persistence of multiple discrete phenotypes called morphs. Polymorphism is often explained by negative frequency dependent selection (NFDS), under which rare morphs have an advantage, such that no one morph takes over. We tested whether mating polymorphism is maintained by NFDS generated by female choice, in the livebearing poeciliid fish, Girardinus metallicus, whose males are either common, plain morphs or rare, black morphs. Females were treated with one morph for several weeks and tested with both, in mate choice and direct competition assays. Contrary to NFDS via female choice, females preferred the morph with which they were treated. This may disrupt the polymorphism given the rarity of black morphs in the wild, unless black morphs have other advantages: we found that black morphs tended to exhibit higher mating activity, and other studies have demonstrated that they are more aggressive. Interestingly, only black morphs display to females prior to copulation; however, there is little evidence for female preference for this morph or the mating display. These results suggest functions for the mating display of black morphs beyond courtship, including aggressive mate guarding, and prompt a discussion of what constitutes courtship behavior.