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INTEGRATING PHYLOGENY AND EXPERIMENTAL ETHOLOGY: FROM PATTERN TO PROCEs.

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Phylogenetic analysis revealed that male coloration in Gasterosteus aculeatus is strongly influenced by female mate choice, aligning with macroevolutionary predictions. This study confirms that evolutionary hypotheses can guide testable experiments.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Ethology
  • Ichthyology

Background:

  • Phylogenetic systematics aids in understanding macroevolutionary patterns of behavior.
  • Sexual dimorphism in nuptial coloration is common in fishes, driven by selection pressures.
  • Gasterosteus aculeatus (threespine stickleback) exhibits complex breeding behaviors and coloration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the macroevolutionary drivers of sexually dimorphic nuptial coloration in gasterosteid fishes using phylogenetic methods.
  • To generate testable predictions regarding the roles of intrasexual selection, natural selection (parental care), and intersexual selection in the evolution of nuptial coloration.
  • To experimentally test macroevolutionary hypotheses at the microevolutionary level in Gasterosteus aculeatus.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of gasterosteid fishes to infer evolutionary relationships between breeding colors and behaviors.
  • Experimental investigation of changes in male nuptial coloration during the breeding cycle.
  • Experimental assessment of female choice based on the intensity of male coloration.

Main Results:

  • Phylogenetic analysis predicted varying associations between nuptial coloration and selection pressures: weak for male-male interactions, moderate for parental care, and strong for female choice.
  • Experimental results corroborated macroevolutionary predictions, confirming a strong link between male body color intensity and female mate choice in G. aculeatus.
  • Male body color intensity was identified as a significant factor in female mate choice.

Conclusions:

  • Phylogenetic hypotheses can generate experimentally verifiable predictions about evolutionary processes.
  • Intersexual selection, specifically female choice, plays a dominant role in the evolution of nuptial coloration in G. aculeatus.
  • This study integrates macroevolutionary insights with microevolutionary experiments to understand behavioral diversity.