Abstract
Mating preferences often generate strong selective forces that shape the evolutionary trajectories of species. The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) offers great potential as a model for studying mating preferences and sexual selection. Females from one strain of N. furzeri and other closely related species of Nothobranchius killifish display strong preferences for male-specific traits, such as large body size and brightly colored fins. Killifish are unusual among laboratory model systems because they have very strong sexual dimorphism that likely arose as a consequence of sexual selection imposed by male–male competition and female mating preferences. Here, we describe a method that can be used to study mate choice behaviors and female preferences in N. furzeri, with the possibility of using live or animated male fish. Both methods offer unique advantages and can help researchers better understand sexually selected traits and the preferences for them.