Meeting Abstract

P1-79   -   Zombie Dads: The Effects of Male Guppy Coloration on Posthumous Reproductive Success Lasserre, C*; Renna, L; Yang, Y; Johnson, LE; Gordon, SP; Washington University in St. Louis; Washington University in St. Louis; Washington University in St. Louis; Washington University in St. Louis; Washington University in St. Louis classerre@wustl.edu

Exaggerated sexual ornaments like coloration play a key role in mate choice in many animals, and can even have a strong effect post-copulation via cryptic mate choice. In Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata), it is known that males with more conspicuous carotenoid coloration have higher reproductive success. Additionally, female guppies are capable of storing sperm from males with whom they have mated, allowing a significant number of males to reproduce posthumously in the wild. However, it is less clear whether the reproductive advantage of conspicuous male coloration extends to the post-death state. In this study, we test the hypothesis that males with more conspicuous carotenoid coloration sire a greater proportion of a given litter via stored sperm. We allow a virgin female guppy to freely interact with both a colorful and dull male until two litters are born, then randomly remove one male from the tank. Two more litters are collected, after which point the female is then left alone for two final litters of offspring. Pedigree and sperm count analyses allow us to assess the role of male coloration in reproductive success via pre- versus post-copulatory female choice. The results of this study will help us understand how male coloration affects posthumous reproduction in wild animal populations with the ability to store sperm.