The Influence of A Lateral Line on Mate Choice in Poecilia reticulata

Abstract

In order to best provide and serve for fisheries, we studied P. reticulata and what factors affect male mate choice. We hypothesized that a bold lateral line on a female guppy will cause the male to more frequently make attempts at courting her. We used two guppy models in one tank at the same time in order to see which model the male seems more drawn to. The models differed only in the presence of a lateral line. We found that our hypothesis was not supported by the data we collected because, on average, the fish spent more time near our control guppy model.