A Method for Testing Adaptive Hypotheses of Mate Choice

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Abstract
For species in which males contribute only sperm to reproduction, the question of whether male displays are indicative of male genetic quality can be addressed by combining behavioral observations with quantitative-genetic procedures. This approach is illustrated by an analysis of chemical communication in the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst). First, the attractiveness of male pheromone to females was evaluated in behavioral tests. Then the same males were bred and various components of fitness measured in their offspring. Males were considered different in genetic quality if significant heritability of a component of fitness was found. To test the "good genes" hypothesis, the correlation between attractiveness of males and fitness of their progeny was computed. In flour beetles no significant correlations were found. Theoretical and practical limitations of good-genes models are discussed in relation to this experiment.