Symmetry: attractive not only to females

Fluctuating asymmetry in bilateral traits has been proposed to reflect aspe cts of individual quality and has hence been suggested to act as a cue in m ate choice. Since sexual selection generally acts more strongly on males, n umerous studies have focused on female preferences for symmetrical partners , while very little is known about potential male symmetry preferences. In the present experiment, we tested whether bluethroat males are sensitive to symmetry in an artificial ornament. Using different combinations of blue a nd orange leg bands, females were made symmetrical or asymmetrical. In outd oor aviaries placed in breeding habitat, males were allowed to choose betwe en a symmetrical and an asymmetrical female. We found that males associated more with symmetrical than asymmetrical females, indicating a preference f or symmetry The magnitude of the symmetry preference of bluethroat males wa s similar to that of females of the same species.