Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2024
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Lixing Sun
Second Committee Member
Paul James
Third Committee Member
Hideki Takei
Abstract
Competition for mating opportunities among individuals of the same sex is a well-documented phenomenon, yet the extent of cooperation in such contexts remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the occurrence of cooperative bargaining between two males in scenarios of limited and equal female availability, using non-wild descendants of the Trinidad guppy (Poecilia reticulata) as a model species. Four experimental trials assessed courtship length (in seconds) and male-female and male-male interactions, including courtship and aggressive behaviors based on previous research (Magurran et al., 1991). The analysis included the examination of the duration of courtship, the number of aggressive interactions, time allocation between courtship and other behaviors, and the trade-off between aggression and courtship on a Pareto front. Our results indicate a significant impact on courtship length with female limitation (p
Recommended Citation
Bell, Maddisen, "Cooperative Bargaining During Mate Competition: A Test in Male Guppies" (2024). All Master's Theses. 1942.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/1942