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Behavioral Ecology Vol. 13 No. 1: 11-19
© 2002 International Society for Behavioral Ecology

Ultraviolet vision and mate choice in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Elizabeth J. Smith, Julian C. Partridge, Katharine N. Parsons, Elizabeth M. White, Innes C. Cuthill, Andrew T. D. Bennett and Stuart C. Church

School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK

Address correspondence to E.J. Smith. E-mail: liz.smith{at}bristol.ac.uk .

Ultraviolet (UV) vision is well documented for many species of vertebrates. UV cues are known to be used in foraging, navigation and in mate choice. We conducted a series of behavioral experiments to investigate the role of UV perception in mate choice in both female and male guppies (Poecilia reticulata). In our experiments the visual appearance of potential mates was manipulated using either UV transmitting (UV+) or UV blocking (UV-) filters. Female guppies significantly preferred UV+ males. Male guppies tended to prefer UV- females, but their preferences were marginally nonsignificant. Further experiments investigating the role of luminance, indicate that UV wavelengths are probably being used for color discrimination rather than for detecting differences in brightness. These experiments raise the possibility that UV is used in mate assessment in different ways by male and female guppies. This may reflect the different strategies that the two sexes have in order to maximize reproductive success. To our knowledge, these are the first data showing that UV is used by any fish species in mate selection.

Key words: guppies, mate choice, Poecilia reticulata, sexual selection, ultraviolet vision.


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