University of Exeter researchers use digital fish to study mate selection

Researchers at the University of Exeter have utilized a digital experiment to study mate selection in fish, specifically focusing on greenling species. To avoid the limitations of traditional studies where researchers offer a fixed set of choices, the team used virtual fish displayed on screens within an aquarium.

Through nine virtual generations, computer algorithms adjusted the appearance of digital partners based on the preferences of live fish. The selection was measured by the amount of time the live fish spent near specific screens. The study revealed that while males consistently preferred larger females, female choices showed more individual variation regarding traits like tail length and color. This method allows scientists to test a vast number of trait combinations much faster than breeding actual offspring.