Multiple signals predict male mating success in the lek-mating lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus).

Sexual selection theory maintains that traits under selection honestly advertise qualities of signaling individuals and that only individuals in the best condition can survive while displaying maximally elaborated secondary sexual ornaments. Recent trends in mate choice studies have favored the consideration of the effects of multiple traits on mating success, including suites of traits transmitted in different sensory modalities. Sexual selection is expected to be especially strong in lek-mating species. The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a grouse species which breeds on leks. Males of this species perform audio and locomotor displays and exhibit two pairs of brightly colored ornaments. We performed an observational study of mate choice in spring 2016–2018 and noted 40 copulations on seven leks. We quantified behavioral, territorial, and morphological characteristics of males along with ornament color properties. We found that variables from all categories considered predicted female choice. Age had the strongest effect, with adult males experiencing higher female choice relative to yearlings. Allocation of aggressive behavior and comb color properties were also strongly correlated with female choice. Our results show that modulating behavior depending on whether females are present contributes to male mating success and highlight the importance of the size and color properties of secondary ornaments. Further research is required to determine how the variables most strongly associated with mate choice relate to one another and which aspects of individual quality, if any, are signaled by color ornaments. Future studies could also incorporate variables related to females to determine if selection on females occurs. Significance statement: The choice of a mate can help determine the survival and reproductive success of offspring. In species where males do not care for offspring, mate choice can be highly consistent among females, and mate choice decisions are often based on the evaluation of multiple traits such as vocalizations, behavior, and morphological trait size. Based on measurements of captured males and observations of breeding behavior, we demonstrate that mate choice in lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) correlates with male behavior, morphology, skin patch color, and territorial characteristics. Our findings represent a rare demonstration of mating success being influenced by how male behavior (including aggression) changes when females are present or absent. Our results show how multiple traits can transmit information about individual quality and support theoretical links between mate choice and increased male age or male-male competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]