GUZMAN, D.B.; CLEMENT, T.S.; FERNALD, R.D.; Smith College; Stanford University; Stanford University: Does the Victor Get the Spoils?: The Role of Observational Learning in Mate Choice

Previous studies of animal behavior indicate that individuals can increase their fitness by modifying their behavior and physiology in response to the interactions of others. Mate choice is one area in which this type of observational learning may prove to be beneficial. For example, in systems in which male competition is prevalent, assessing male quality during male-male combat may allow females to learn about the quality of several males simultaneously with relatively little cost to the female. In the African cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni, males defend territories and fiercely compete for food and mating resources. In the present study, we examined female preference following an aggressive interaction in which a clear winner and loser emerged. We found females that viewed the fight preferred to associate with the winner of the interaction. Surprisingly, females that did not observe the fight preferred to associate with the loser of the interaction. Thus, it appears that observational learning is one mechanism for a cost-effective strategy when evaluating potential mates. Future research designed to determine the prevalence of this mechanism in an even broader context will provide insight on the role of sexual selection in evolution.