LETTER

Environment-dependent selection on mate choice in a natural population of birds

  1. Matthew R. Robinson1,*,
  2. G. Sander van Doorn2,
  3. Lars Gustafsson3,
  4. Anna Qvarnström3

Article first published online: 10 APR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01780.x

Issue

Ecology Letters

Ecology Letters

Volume 15, Issue 6, pages 611–618, June 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Robinson, M. R., Sander van Doorn, G., Gustafsson, L. and Qvarnström, A. (2012), Environment-dependent selection on mate choice in a natural population of birds. Ecology Letters, 15: 611–618. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01780.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Animal and Plant Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK

  2. 2

    Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Ethologische Station Hasli, Wohlenstrasse 50a, CH-3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland

  3. 3

    Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden

*E-mail: matthew.r.robinson@sheffield.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 MAY 2012
  2. Article first published online: 10 APR 2012
  3. Editor, David Westneat Manuscript received 14 November 2011 First decision made 11 December 2011 Second decision made 24 February 2012 Manuscript accepted 13 March 2012

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Keywords:

  • Environmental heterogeneity;
  • genotype–environment interaction;
  • mate choice;
  • sexual selection

Abstract

Female mate choice acts as an important evolutionary force, yet the influence of the environment on both its expression and the selective pressures acting upon it remains unknown. We found consistent heritable differences between females in their choice of mate based on ornament size during a 25-year study of a population of collared flycatchers. However, the fitness consequences of mate choice were dependent on environmental conditions experienced whilst breeding. Females breeding with highly ornamented males experienced high relative fitness during dry summer conditions, but low relative fitness during wetter years. Our results imply that sexual selection within a population can be highly variable and dependent upon the prevailing weather conditions experienced by individuals.

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