FULLER, R.; Univeristy of Illinois: Testing the assumptions of the sensory bias model

The sensory bias hypothesis proposes that natural selection on non-mating behaviors (e.g. foraging, anti-predator behavior, etc.) results in correlated responses in female mating preferences due to the fact that the behaviors share a common sensory system. I tested the conditions under which these predictions are upheld using a neural network model. In my simulations, I selected for foraging preferences for red food items (over yellow or blue food items) and examined the effects on female mating preferences for red, yellow or blue males. Small correlated effects occur under some (but not all) conditions. The extent to which such conditions can be expected in nature and the implications for the evolution of mating preferences will be discussed.