PREDATION RISK AFFECTS MATE CHOICE IN A GOBIID FISH

Examined whether female sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus preferred certain males over others, and whether mate choice is affected by predation risk. Egg-laying experiments indicated the legitimacy of estimating mate choice by assessing female position relative to potential mates. Large and brightly-coloured males seem to have been preferred, but this preference was more pronounced in the absence of predators. Results are consistent with predictions that females should be less selective as predation risk increases. -P.J.Jarvis