Aritifical Selection on the Guppy Visual System

In collaboration with John Endler, I have conducted research investigating spectral sensitivity as a possible proximate sensory basis of mate choice in the guppy. There was a significant response to selection, indicating significant heritability for a sensory trait.  However, the form of the response differed within and between lines. The differences are attributed to different mechanisms allowing response to selection for spectral sensitivity. Female preferences are predicted to change with a change in spectral sensitivity. Because male color patterns are known to be heritable, and because a change in female preference should result in a change in male coloration, those populations that have been selected to have increased sensitivity to red light may in turn show an increase in red/orange male coloration, while those selected to have increased sensitivity to blue light should show a change in blue and green male coloration. We next will evaluate if there has been a change in male coloration as a result of selection due to the change in the female visual system.

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