Confirmed Speakers
Ingo Schlupp
University of Oklahoma
schlupp@ou.edu
Mate Choice and the Amazon Molly

Mate choice is of crucial importance in sexual selection. In nature, mate choice typically occurs in a complex social environment, or Communication Networks. In my paper I will look at several aspects of mate choice in the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) mating system. Amazon mollies are unisexual and clonal, but sperm dependent. This adds an interesting layer of added complexity to mating decisions and communication in this system. Sperm for the unisexual Amazon mollies is provided mainly by two sexual species, P. latipinna and P. mexicana. Consequently, not only do sexual and asexual females have mating preferences and may compete with each other over males, but males also should be highly selective and avoid matings with the unisexual Amazon molly. In my paper I will try to dissect the many possible interactions using a Communication Network approach.