Description
Physical attractiveness is a critical factor in mate choice, influencing reproductive success in many species. However, attractiveness is not an objective quality and can be shaped by context-dependent perception. Visual illusions—perceptual distortions that arise from specific environmental or contextual cues—can alter the perception of traits such as size, potentially affecting an individual’s evaluation of potential mates. Although visual illusions are known to occur naturally and have been studied in controlled settings, their role in shaping social decisions, such as mate preferences, remains largely unexplored in non-human animals.This study investigates how visual illusions influence mate choice in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria), using the classical Ebbinghaus illusion. This illusion alters the perceived size of a central object based on the size of surrounding elements. In this experiment, female doves will be exposed to video playbacks of the same courting male displayed in two opposing illusory contexts. Behavioural and endocrine responses will be quantified as proxies for sexual interest.
This study is ongoing and focuses on understanding how perceptual distortions influence mate selection. It represents a first step toward exploring the role of sensory manipulation in social decision-making. By presenting our experimental design and preliminary insights, this poster aims to foster discussion on the cognitive processes underlying mate choice and the broader implications of visual perception in animal behaviour research.
| Period | 19 Feb 2025 → 21 Feb 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Etho2025, Annual Meeting of the Ethologische Gesellschaft |
| Event type | Conference |
Keywords
- mate choice
- Birds
- sexual selection
- Visual illusions