Sexual signal evolution is shaped by whether only one or both sexes execute mate choice. When choice considered, the same signalling modality generally inferred for males and females. In noctuid moth Chloridea (Heliothis) virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), may be signallers responders, as emit a sex-specific pheromone. Male based on female sex pheromone, perceived via antennae, has been well d...

Choosing an appropriate mate is one of the most important decisions that any animal has to make. The traditional view in non-human systems is that animals are largely slaves to their genes and an individual’s mate choice is handed down from their parents. However, in recent years it has become clear that many animals show active decision making in who to mate with and that females may copy mate...

Obtaining a suitable mate is an integral part of reproduction, with sexual selection processes such as female choice resulting in both direct and/or indirect benefits. Here, we investigated whether olfactory driven influenced reproductive success captive fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata). Although females spent 67% more time preferred male’s scent, was not by assigned choice. Of t...

Organisms use environmental cues to time their life-cycles and among these cues, photoperiod is the main trigger of reproductive behaviours such as territory defence or song activity. Whether photoperiod is also important for another behaviour closely associated with reproduction, mate choice, is unknown. In many bird species, mate choice occurs at two different times during the annual cycle th...

Most theoretical models on evolution of male secondary sexual characters and female preferences for these characters suggest that the male characters evolve in response to female preferences that may themselves evolve in response to direct or indirect benefits of choice. In Drosophila montana (a species of the D. virilis group), females use male song in their mate choice, preferring males that ...

Females generally choose mates that produce the loudest, brightest or most elaborate sexual displays, and these costly male displays are predicted to be condition dependent. However, mate choice itself is a costly behaviour also expected to be condition dependent. Male fall field crickets, Gryllus pennsylvanicus, produce a conspicuous long-distance calling song that attracts females and is cond...

Modifications in female mate choice resulting from social experience can affect male reproductive success, thereby influencing the evolution of male secondary sexual characters. However, there is little information about how social experience affects different stages of female choice, for example, preversus postcopulatory choice, and whether social experience exerts parallel or divergent effect...