Condition Does Not Alter Responsiveness to Mating Signals in Female Pacific Field Crickets

Abstract Animals often vary in their condition (i.e. the amount of resources allocatable to fitness-related functions) and such variation can influence the expression of important mating behaviors like how quickly individuals respond to mating signals. If individuals in poor condition invest less in finding mates, perhaps because they can’t afford the energetic costs, then variation in condition could weaken selection on sexual signals. Conversely, if individuals in poor condition invest more in mating, say because they benefit more from finding a mate, then variation in condition could strengthen selection on sexual signals. Here we examined the effect of female condition on responsiveness to male mating signals – a key component of mating behavior – in the Pacific field cricket ( Teleogryllus oceanicus ). We manipulated female condition by rearing females on either a high- or low-quality diet. Although our diets generated substantial differences in adult body condition, the two groups of females had similar responsiveness to male mating signals. Our results suggest that, contrary to theoretical predictions, fitness-related behaviors do not always exhibit condition dependence.