Data from: Sexual selection is influenced by both developmental and adult environments

Sexual selection is often assumed to be strong and consistent, yet
increasing research shows it can fluctuate over space and time. Few
experimental studies have examined changes in sexual selection in response
to natural environmental variation. Here, we use a difference in resource
quality to test for the influence of past environmental conditions and
current environmental conditions on male and female mate choice and
resulting selection gradients for leaf-footed cactus bugs, Narnia
femorata. We raised juveniles on natural high and low quality diets,
cactus pads with and without ripe cactus fruits. New adults were again
assigned a cactus pad with or without fruit, paired with a potential mate,
and observed for mating behaviors. We found developmental and adult
encounter environments affected mating decisions and the resulting
patterns of sexual selection for both males and females. Males were not
choosy in the low quality encounter environment, cactus without fruit, but
they avoided mating with small females in the high quality encounter
environment. Females were choosy in both encounter environments, avoiding
mating with small males. However, they were the choosiest when they were
in the low quality encounter environment. Female mate choice was also
context-dependent by male developmental environment. Females were more
likely to mate with males that had developed on cactus with fruit when
they were currently in the cactus with fruit environment. This pattern
disappeared when females were in the cactus without fruit environment.
Altogether, these results experimentally demonstrate context-dependent
mate choice by both males and females. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
simple, seasonal changes in resources can lead to fluctuations in sexual
selection.