Summary: Leese (2012)

Prior to mating, pair bonding often occurs in monogamous animals. Leese (2012) tested the hypothesis that this behaviour allows for continuous partner (and potential other mates) quality assessment using the convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata. He allowed males and females to choose between their partners and novel individuals (opposite sex) at various times after pair bond formation. Leese (2012) found that females were more likely to remain with their partners, while males generally spent more time away from their partner with a novel female. However, this pattern differed with time spent in the pair bond. Males were initially very aggressive to novel females, while females initially ignored novel males. Even when individuals were given a "better option" (i.e. a larger mate), both males and females showed no preference. Leese (2012) suggests that pair bonding allows for continuous mate assessment by females, but not for males.