Sexual Selection: Mating Behavior Tendencies in Guppies in Response to Various Artificial 3D Models

Abstract

Guppies, Poecilia reticulata, have been a research animal of interest by many neuroscientists, evolutionary biologists, and animal behavior.  Finding interest in this subject, our group has decided to pursue the study of mating behaviors among male and female fish. We hypothesize that a male guppy will have a higher tendency to be attracted to a larger, more colorful female fish. To test this, we used plastic 3D fish models and placed them in a tank to see how the fish reacts. We found that in most cases, the male fish was more attracted to the colorful and strongest female.