Analysis of Male Mate Preference Based on Female Size in Lizards

This report investigates male mate selection in the lizard species Platysaurus broadleyi, focusing on the influence of female size on courtship behavior. The study explores whether male lizards exhibit a preference for larger female mates, and if the latency to court is affected by this preference. The methodology involved capturing and housing female lizards, measuring their size, and conducting male preference trials. The results indicate a significant preference for larger females by male lizards. The report analyzes the size difference between treatments and the latency of courtship based on size preference. The study concludes that size traits significantly influence male preferences, with males able to discriminate physically between small and large females, favoring the larger ones. These findings provide insights into sexual selection and mate choice mechanisms in lizards.

MALE MATE SELECTION
BASED ON FEMALE SIZE IN
LIZARDS
BACKGROUND
⁻ Mate choice is influenced by species
recognition and mate preference
⁻ Species recognition prevents mating
with heterospecifics that may lead to
low fitness
⁻ Mate preference encourages direct or
indirect fitness
⁻ It is possible for species recognition
and mate preference to conflict
(Wymann & Whiting, 2003)
⁻ Conflict may be as a result of
heterospecifics having traits that
exploit pre-existing biases for
novelties
⁻ Recently diverged taxa is more likely
to pronounce heterospecifics
resemblance; using similar traits for
mate recognition
⁻ Relative weighting of species against
mate (Font et al., 2012)
⁻ preference determines how to solve
the conflict
⁻ Weighting depends on cost-benefit
ratio of mating with heterospecifics
against conspecifics
⁻ Male mate preference with regard to
size of the female is explored in this
study.
METHODS
⁻ 50 female lizards captured
⁻ Housed for 4 days; supplied with
water and food ad libitum
⁻ Female SVL measured as body size
⁻ n=16 for (S) group; n=16 for (L)
group
⁻ One female from every group used
in conducting male preference trials
using n=16 for male wild
⁻ female movement restricted, males
free to move
Is male mating preference based on female
treatment/size?
Is the latency to court based on a male’s
preference?
Does the difference in female size (between
treatments) affect a male’s choice?
Figure 2: Male Broadley's flat lizard's
dominance displays
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Wild male lizards have less preference for large si
female mates thus longer tendency of courting
Wild male lizards have higher preference for
large size female mates thus longer tendency of
courting
• Comparison of size between treatments (t-
test): t = -22.379, df = 30, p < 0.001
• Comparison of male preference based on
treatment (Fisher’s test): p < 0.001
• Comparison of latency between size
preferences (t-test):
• t = -1.382, df = 14, p = 0.189
• Comparison of size difference between size
preferences (t-test):
• t = 6.26, df = 14, p < 0.001
RESULTS
• Males prefer females that are large in size that is
characteristic of the Platysaurus broadleyi species
• Males prefer sexually mature females as based on
olfactory and visual cues (Font et al., 2012)
• Big size may be an attractive trait for males hence
an insight in male mate selection
DISCUSSION
• Size traits influence male preferences in
Platysaurus broadleyi species
• Males are able to discriminate physically between
small and large females, preferring large one
CONCLUSION
Figure 1: Housed female lizards (Font
et al., 2012)
Latency to Court in Large Lizards
Latency to Court in Small Lizards