Mate choice copying behaviour in the livebearing fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora

Reliance on social learning for mating decisions (i.e. ‘mate choice copying’) is taxonomically widespread and can influence the strength of sexual selection in a population. Theory suggests that a balance of social and individual learning, as well as stable individual behaviour in the propensity to copy mate choices, may help maintain variation in mating preferences within a population. Here, we focused on the livebearing fish species Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora to test the role of social information on mate preference behaviour in this species and the stability of copying behaviour within an individual. Female observers underwent a dichotomous choice test between two female demonstrators prior to observing and choosing between two potential mates with or without social information from female demonstrators. We found that B. rhabdophora females displayed strong preferences between males regardless of access to social information. We then retested individuals approximately 1 month later and found that individuals used social information in a consistent manner between trials. Taken together, our data suggest that B. rhabdophora females consider both personal and social information when making mating decisions and that heterogeneity in copying strategies exists among individuals within a population. These findings contribute to our growing understanding of the factors that shape the evolution of socially learned mating preferences. • We examined whether social information affects mating preferences in Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora. • We also examined repeatability of copying behaviour within individuals. • Females did not require social cues to show a strong preference between males. • However, individuals used social information in a consistent manner over time. • Female mate-copying strategies may vary among individuals within a population.