Mate choice in a cave fish likely uses olfaction, not water waves.

What is it about?

We tested if cave mollies use a fish-specific sense for wave detection, the lateral line, to detect size differences between potential mates. We temporarily disabled the lateral line and found that the fish were still able to identify larger mates. Logically, this leaves olfaction as the likely mechanism for mate preference.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Our study highlights the importance of olfaction in mate choice.