Personalities, male mating tactics and role of females in sexual selection: studies on fish model systems (2009–2012)

Sexual selection explains adaptations of individuals to maximize their reproductive success by increasing the number of offspring and mating with superior partners. We investigated three neglected topics of sexual selection research; (1) the link between animal personalities (consistent behavioural patterns such as boldness-shyness continuum) and alternative mating tactics they perform to maximize reproductive success, (2) the effect of demographic parameters on direction and magnitude of sexual selection on multiple traits in replicated wild populations, and (3) the role of females in evolution, success and persistence of alternative mating behaviours in males and sexual selection in females. We used bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus, R. ocellatus) for most experimental work, but also employed other fish species with contrasting mating systems (internal fertilization – Poecilia spp., male coercion – Nothobranchius spp., maternal care – Pelvicachromis pulcher, paternal care – Gasterosteus aculeatus) to provide general conclusions pertinent throughout mating systems.