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| Bower Trait Preference in a Cichlid (Burton's Mouthbrooder Astatotilapia burtoni) |
| Gabriel Sadongei, Lucas Arnold, Andrew G Fulmer. Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, United States |
Our study investigates how defense of courtship territory influences bower trait preference in Burton’s Mouthbrooders (Astatotilapia burtoni). Territories (organized around defensible ornamented bowers, cracked terracotta pots in the lab) attract females and/or competitors. Entry size may influence ease of territory maintenance, stability of which has strong fitness consequences in this lekking species. Dominant male fish are presented with artificial bowers setup featuring choices between small, medium, or large entrance relative to focal fish body size in a paired choice experimental. Preference is determined by territorial defense activities occurring in the immediate vicinity of the bower. We hypothesize that focal males prefer smaller entrances relative to their body size, as these bowers may be easier to defend against rivals. Our alternate hypothesis is that focal male prefers equal entrance size relative to their body size, as bowers are often occupied by both male and female fish during courtship and accessibility may be a factor in preference. |