Male mate choice and selectivity in relation to female mating status in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus

Abstract

Sexual selection plays a role in evolution and often follows the pattern where males are fighting to mate, while females are choosy due to their higher gamete investment. Males can also be selective if they have high costs of mating or if females vary a lot in quality. By being cryptic and less common than female selection, male mate choice is often underestimated. This study investigates male choice in relation to female prior mating status in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. I also study the dynamics between male and female mating preference and rejection behaviour. The results showed that males were more likely to mate with virgin females than non-virgins. This difference was not due to female size nor female repelling behaviours or female handling. Prior mating status is the major factor determining male choice and is assessed by males after the first encounter with females. Even if males are selective, females could refuse to mate by kicking off males and running away or accept mating, showing that male and female choices are linked to each other and can be challenging to discern.