This study tested two hypotheses concerning the cognitive processes underlying human mate choice in Western society: ( i ) preference is conditional that selectivity of individuals' based on their perception themselves as long-term partners, and ii decision rule governing such translating oneself a given attribute into comparable for same mate. Both were supported. A two-part questionnaire was completed by 978 heterosexual residents Ithaca, New York, aged 18–24; they first rated importance...

1. Central questions of behavioural and evolutionary ecology are what factors influence the reproductive success dominant breeders subordinate nonbreeders within animal societies? A complete understanding any society requires that these be answered for all individuals. 2. The clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, forms simple societies live in close association with sea anemones, Heteractis magnifica. Here, we use data from a well-studied population A. percula to determine major predictors...

Significance Networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) have been widely implemented to combat global population declines. Although their efficacy largely depends on larval exchange between populations, quantitative analyses dispersal limited due the difficulties tracking larvae. Here, we systematically measure in fish Elacatinus lori , producing first robust estimate a kernel. We find that declines exponentially, with most larvae traveling less than 2 km from parents. Remarkably, distance an...

Social queues, in which subordinates wait for their turn to inherit dominant breeding status, are a familiar feature of many animal societies. However, little is known about the mechanisms stabilizing social queues given inevitable conflict over rank between group members. Here, we report role punishment and cooperation promoting stability size-based coral-dwelling goby, Paragobiodon xanthosomus (Gobiidae). Quantitative analysis size-structure revealed that individuals adjacent differ size...

A central question of marine ecology is, how far do larvae disperse? Coupled biophysical models predict that the probability successful dispersal declines as a function distance between populations. Estimates genetic isolation-by-distance and self-recruitment provide indirect support for this prediction. Here, we conduct first direct test prediction, using data from well-studied system clown anemonefish ( Amphiprion percula ) at Kimbe Island, in Papua New Guinea. live small breeding groups...

How big an animal group will be depends on how the group's size is regulated and costs benefits of living in group. To determine which individuals regulate clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, I investigated strategies involved formation, maintenance, dissolution its groups. Groups composed a single breeding pair zero to four nonbreeding subordinates occupied individual sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica), provided fish with oviposition sites protection from predators. Group increased...

Animal societies composed of breeders and non–breeders present a challenge to evolutionary theory because it is not immediately apparent how natural selection can preserve the genes that underlie non–breeding strategies. The clownfish Amphiprion percula forms groups breeding pair 0–4 non–breeders. Non–breeders gain neither direct, nor indirect benefits from association. To determine whether obtain future direct benefits, I investigated pattern territory inheritance. show stand inherit within...

Kin selection plays an important role in the evolution of social behaviour terrestrial systems. The extent to which kin influences marine systems is largely unexplored. Generally, it considered that irrelevant systems, because assumed dispersing larval phase organisms will break up associations. Here, we challenge this assumption and investigate opportunity for a coral reef fish: humbug damselfish Dascyllus aruanus. This fish lives groups composed large male number smaller females...

Characterizing patterns of larval dispersal is essential to understanding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics marine metapopulations. Recent research has measured local within populations, but development kernels from empirical data remains a challenge. We propose framework move beyond point estimates towards approximation simple kernel, based on hypothesis that structure seascape primary predictor realized patterns. Using coral reef fish Elacatinus lori as study organism, we use...

A population of the clown anemonefish Amphiprion percula was studied for 1 year, in Madang Lagoon, Papua New Guinea. From this study, data on mortality events and social structure were used to construct a stage‐structured matrix model estimate average age at death (life expectancy) various classes individuals. Based model, it is estimated that life expectancy female A. , oldest individuals population, 30 years. This two times greater than longevity any other coral reef damselfish six...

The formation of animal societies is a major transition in evolution. It challenging to understand why are stable, given the reproductive conflicts inherent within them. Reproductive skew theory provides compelling explanation for how and resolved. Indeed, some have suggested that represents general social Lamentably, composed many independent models, with generality each model being restricted by its assumptions. Here, we tackle this problem, using Hamilton's rule predict conditions under...

Abstract Detecting patterns of spatial genetic structure ( SGS ) can help identify intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to gene flow within metapopulations. For marine organisms such as coral reef fishes, identifying these is critical predicting evolutionary dynamics demarcating evolutionarily significant units for conservation. In this study, we adopted an alternative hypothesis‐testing framework the predictors in Caribbean fish Elacatinus lori . First, was estimated using nuclear...

Marine metapopulations often exhibit subtle population structure that can be difficult to detect. Given recent advances in high-throughput sequencing, an emerging question is whether various genotyping approaches, concert with improved sampling designs, will substantially improve our understanding of genetic the sea. To address this question, we explored hierarchical patterns coral reef fish Elacatinus lori using a high-resolution approach respect both and geographic sampling. Previously,...

Batesian mimicry occurs when palatable mimics gain protection from predators by evolving a phenotypic resemblance to an aposematic model species. While common in nature, the mechanisms maintaining are not fully understood. Patterns of temporal synchrony (i.e. co-occurrence) and first occurrence have been observed several systems, but hypothesis that predator foraging decisions can drive evolution prey phenology has experimentally tested. Here, using phenotypically accurate butterfly...

Abstract A central question of evolutionary ecology is: why do animals live in groups? Answering this requires that the costs and benefits group living are measured from perspective each individual group. This, turn, group's genetic structure is elucidated, because relatedness can modulate individuals’ benefits. The clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula , lives groups composed a breeding pair zero to four nonbreeders. Both breeders nonbreeders stand gain by associating with relatives: might...

Monogamy within social groups where there exists a high potential for polygyny poses challenge to our understanding of mating system evolution. Specifically, the traditional explanation that monogamy evolves due wide female dispersion, affording males little opportunity defend multiple females, cannot apply. Instead, in potentially arises because females compete breeding resources such as sites, food, and paternal care. We conducted manipulative experiments determine whether over limiting...

A major goal of the aquaculture industry is to reduce collection pressure on wild populations by developing captive breeding techniques for marine ornamental species, particularly coral reef fishes. The objective this study was develop a rearing protocol two recently described species neon gobies that are endemic Mesoamerican Barrier Reef: 1) Elacatinus lori; and 2) colini. First, current describes reproductive behavior larval development both species. Second, it evaluates effects different...