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<p>Biologists have long sought to understand the evolution of diverse lifeforms. Multiple genetically controlled color pattern phenotypes occurring within a species, called color polymorphisms, allow exploration of the multiple balancing selective forces which maintain within-population diversity. Mate choice, through mechanisms like disassortative mating or frequency dependent selection, is one such driving force of color polymorphism maintenance. Courtship behaviors influence mate choice in several insect species and may covary with color phenotype. In the color polymorphic tortoise beetle <i>Chelymorpha alternans</i>, overdominance and differential predation, but not disassortative mating, are suspected to maintain five genetically determined color pattern phenotypes. Additionally, offspring of assortative pairings have lower juvenile fitness but are more fecund. However, courtship behaviors and any link to color are not well documented in <i>C. alternans.</i> We provide further evidence of random mating for color phenotype and demonstrate that while no specific courtship behavior or sequence predicted mating success, the number of distinct courtship behaviors performed significantly predicted the probability of mating. Additionally, assortative pairs copulated for longer durations, possibly as a mechanism for increasing fecundity, as extending mating duration can enhance fertilization and clutch size. Our results demonstrate that sexual selection in <i>C. alternans</i> may operate cryptically, rather than through overt behaviors or phenotypic preferences.</p>

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Extended Copulation in Assortative Mating: Insights into Mating Behavior in the Color Polymorphic Tortoise Beetle, Chelymorpha alternans

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月4日

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  • Sara A. Parker,
  • Kristen Howard,
  • Meredith S. Gallagher,
  • Lynette R. Strickland

摘要

Biologists have long sought to understand the evolution of diverse lifeforms. Multiple genetically controlled color pattern phenotypes occurring within a species, called color polymorphisms, allow exploration of the multiple balancing selective forces which maintain within-population diversity. Mate choice, through mechanisms like disassortative mating or frequency dependent selection, is one such driving force of color polymorphism maintenance. Courtship behaviors influence mate choice in several insect species and may covary with color phenotype. In the color polymorphic tortoise beetle Chelymorpha alternans, overdominance and differential predation, but not disassortative mating, are suspected to maintain five genetically determined color pattern phenotypes. Additionally, offspring of assortative pairings have lower juvenile fitness but are more fecund. However, courtship behaviors and any link to color are not well documented in C. alternans. We provide further evidence of random mating for color phenotype and demonstrate that while no specific courtship behavior or sequence predicted mating success, the number of distinct courtship behaviors performed significantly predicted the probability of mating. Additionally, assortative pairs copulated for longer durations, possibly as a mechanism for increasing fecundity, as extending mating duration can enhance fertilization and clutch size. Our results demonstrate that sexual selection in C. alternans may operate cryptically, rather than through overt behaviors or phenotypic preferences.