Sexual Selection and Condition-Dependent Mate Preferences Samuel Cotton, Jennifer Small, Andrew Pomiankowski  Current Biology  Volume 16, Issue 17, Pages R755-R765 (September 2006) DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2006.08.022 Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Pathways and processes behind mating decisions. Mating decisions are influenced predominantly by mate preference, which comprises the preference function relating male ornament phenotype to attractiveness, and the sampling rules a female uses to obtain her preferred mate. We propose that these components of preference are sensitive to female condition, potentially in interaction with the context in which the mating decision is made. Other factors such as male effects and gross environmental effects may also influence mating decisions. Current Biology 2006 16, R755-R765DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2006.08.022) Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Examples of species in which condition-dependent mate preferences may operate. Condition-dependent mate preferences may play an important role in sexual selection and the evolution of male ornamental traits in many species, including (A) crickets (with permission from Alex McWilliam), (B) stalk-eyed flies (with permission from Sam Cotton) and (C) topi (with permission from [66]). Current Biology 2006 16, R755-R765DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2006.08.022) Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions