1
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Castillo DM, Moyle LC. Conspecific sperm precedence is reinforced, but postcopulatory sexual selection weakened, in sympatric populations of Drosophila. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182535. [PMID: 30900533 PMCID: PMC6452082 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection can accelerate speciation by driving the evolution of reproductive isolation, but forces driving speciation could also reciprocally feedback on sexual selection. This might be particularly important in the context of 'reinforcement', where selection acts directly to increase prezygotic barriers to reduce the cost of heterospecific matings. Using assays of sperm competition within and between two sister species, we show a signature of reinforcement where these species interact: populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura that co-occur with sister species D. persimilis have an elevated ability to outcompete heterospecific sperm, consistent with selection for increased postcopulatory isolation. We also find these D. pseudoobscura populations have decreased sperm competitive ability against conspecifics, reducing the opportunity for sexual selection within these populations. Our findings demonstrate that direct selection to increase reproductive isolation against other species can compromise the efficacy of sexual selection within species, a collateral effect of reproductive traits responding to heterospecific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean M. Castillo
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 526 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Leonie C. Moyle
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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2
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Abstract
Sexual conflict is acknowledged as pervasive, with the potential to generate and maintain genetic variation. Mechanistic studies of conflict have been important in providing direct evidence for the existence of sexual conflict. They have also led to the growing realization that there is a striking phenotypic diversity of adaptations whose evolution can be shaped by sexually antagonistic selection. The mechanisms involved range from the use of genital spines, claspers, songs, and smells to ejaculate molecules. In one well-studied example, sexual conflict can occur over the sexually antagonistic effects of seminal fluid proteins in Drosophila melanogaster. However, an important puzzle remains, namely, why seminal fluid proteins are so numerous and complex, hence whether all or some are involved in mediating sexual conflict. I hypothesize that this rich diversity and the complexity of traits subject to sexually antagonistic selection in general may arise, at least in part, due to the deployment of sexually antagonistic adaptations in males in a way that lessens the probability of broadscale, strong resistance evolution in females. In elaborating this hypothesis, I explore how research into the evolution of resistance to insecticides, antimicrobials, and vaccines might be used to provide insights into the evolution of female resistance to the effects of sexually antagonistic manipulative traits of males. In this manner, the manipulative traits of males can be resistance-proofed.
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3
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Delbare SYN, Chow CY, Wolfner MF, Clark AG. Roles of Female and Male Genotype in Post-Mating Responses in Drosophila melanogaster. J Hered 2018; 108:740-753. [PMID: 29036644 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esx081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating induces a multitude of changes in female behavior, physiology, and gene expression. Interactions between female and male genotype lead to variation in post-mating phenotypes and reproductive success. So far, few female molecules responsible for these interactions have been identified. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster from 5 geographically dispersed populations to investigate such female × male genotypic interactions at the female transcriptomic and phenotypic levels. Females from each line were singly-mated to males from the same 5 lines, for a total of 25 combinations. Reproductive output and refractoriness to re-mating were assayed in females from the 25 mating combinations. Female × male genotypic interactions resulted in significant differences in these post-mating phenotypes. To assess whether female × male genotypic interactions affect the female post-mating transcriptome, next-generation RNA sequencing was performed on virgin and mated females at 5 to 6 h post-mating. Seventy-seven genes showed strong variation in mating-induced expression changes in a female × male genotype-dependent manner. These genes were enriched for immune response and odorant-binding functions, and for expression exclusively in the head. Strikingly, variation in post-mating transcript levels of a gene encoding a spermathecal endopeptidase was correlated with short-term egg production. The transcriptional variation found in specific functional classes of genes might be a read-out of female × male compatibility at a molecular level. Understanding the roles these genes play in the female post-mating response will be crucial to better understand the evolution of post-mating responses and related conflicts between the sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Y N Delbare
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703
| | - Clement Y Chow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703
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4
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Signor SA, Abbasi M, Marjoram P, Nuzhdin SV. Conservation of social effects (Ψ ) between two species of Drosophila despite reversal of sexual dimorphism. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:10031-10041. [PMID: 29238534 PMCID: PMC5723616 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Indirect genetic effects (IGEs) describe the effect of the genes of social partners on the phenotype of a focal individual. Here, we measure indirect genetic effects using the “coefficient of interaction” (Ψ) to test whether Ψ evolved between Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans. We compare Ψ for locomotion between ethanol and nonethanol environments in both species, but only D. melanogaster utilizes ethanol ecologically. We find that while sexual dimorphism for locomotion has been reversed in D. simulans, there has been no evolution of social effects between these two species. What did evolve was the interaction between genotype‐specific Ψ and the environment, as D. melanogaster varies unpredictably between environments and D. simulans does not. In this system, this suggests evolutionary lability of sexual dimorphism but a conservation of social effects, which brings forth interesting questions about the role of the social environment in sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Signor
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Mohammad Abbasi
- Graduate Program in Computational Biology Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Paul Marjoram
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA.,Department of Preventive Medicine Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Sergey V Nuzhdin
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
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5
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Signor SA, Abbasi M, Marjoram P, Nuzhdin SV. Social effects for locomotion vary between environments in Drosophila melanogaster females. Evolution 2017; 71:1765-1775. [PMID: 28489252 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite strong purifying or directional selection, variation is ubiquitous in populations. One mechanism for the maintenance of variation is indirect genetic effects (IGEs), as the fitness of a given genotype will depend somewhat on the genes of its social partners. IGEs describe the effect of genes in social partners on the expression of the phenotype of a focal individual. Here, we ask what effect IGEs, and variation in IGEs between abiotic environments, has on locomotion in Drosophila. This trait is known to be subject to intralocus sexually antagonistic selection. We estimate the coefficient of interaction, Ψ, using six inbred lines of Drosophila. We found that Ψ varied between abiotic environments, and that it may vary across among male genotypes in an abiotic environment specific manner. We also found evidence that social effects of males alter the value of a sexually dimorphic trait in females, highlighting an interesting avenue for future research into sexual antagonism. We conclude that IGEs are an important component of social and sexual interactions and that they vary between individuals and abiotic environments in complex ways, with the potential to promote the maintenance of phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Signor
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089
| | - Mohammad Abbasi
- Graduate Program in Computational Biology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089
| | - Paul Marjoram
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089
| | - Sergey V Nuzhdin
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089
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6
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Filice DCS, Long TAF. Genetic variation in male-induced harm in Drosophila melanogaster. Biol Lett 2017; 12:rsbl.2016.0105. [PMID: 27122010 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster, prolonged exposure to males reduces the longevity and fecundity of females. This harm arises from the effects of male courtship behaviours and the toxic side effects of the accessory gland proteins (Acps) in their seminal fluids. Here, we examine the relationship between male exposure and its harmful effect on the lifetime fitness of his mates, and quantify the genetic basis for this variation. We found significant additive genetic variation in the magnitude of harm that males impose on females by exposing females to males from a variety of hemiclonal backgrounds for either a brief or prolonged period of time and measuring their fecundity, a meaningful fitness index. Furthermore, we discovered a strong negative correlation between the magnitude of harm and the short-term effects of male exposure on female fitness. We discuss the evolutionary significance of these results with regards to potential life-history trade-offs in females, and its relationship to male body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C S Filice
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5
| | - Tristan A F Long
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5
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7
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Filice DCS, Long TAF. Phenotypic plasticity in female mate choice behavior is mediated by an interaction of direct and indirect genetic effects in Drosophila melanogaster. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3542-3551. [PMID: 28515889 PMCID: PMC5433979 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Female mate choice is a complex decision‐making process that involves many context‐dependent factors. In Drosophila melanogaster, a model species for the study of sexual selection, indirect genetic effects (IGEs) of general social interactions can influence female mate choice behaviors, but the potential impacts of IGEs associated with mating experiences are poorly understood. Here, we examined whether the IGEs associated with a previous mating experience had an effect on subsequent female mate choice behaviors and quantified the degree of additive genetic variation associated with this effect. Females from 21 different genetic backgrounds were housed with males from one of two distinct genetic backgrounds for either a short (3 hr) or long (48 hr) exposure period and their subsequent mate choice behaviors were scored. We found that the genetic identity of a previous mate significantly influenced a female's subsequent interest in males and preference of males. Additionally, a hemiclonal analysis revealed significant additive genetic variation associated with experience‐dependent mate choice behaviors, indicating a genotype‐by‐environment interaction for both of these parameters. We discuss the significance of these results with regard to the evolution of plasticity in female mate choice behaviors and the maintenance of variation in harmful male traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C S Filice
- Department of Biology Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo ON Canada
| | - Tristan A F Long
- Department of Biology Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo ON Canada
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8
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Branco AT, Schilling L, Silkaitis K, Dowling DK, Lemos B. Reproductive activity triggers accelerated male mortality and decreases lifespan: genetic and gene expression determinants in Drosophila. Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 118:221-228. [PMID: 27731328 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction and aging evolved to be intimately associated. Experimental selection for early-life reproduction drives the evolution of decreased longevity in Drosophila whereas experimental selection for increased longevity leads to changes in reproduction. Although life history theory offers hypotheses to explain these relationships, the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction-longevity associations remain a matter of debate. Here we show that mating triggers accelerated mortality in males and identify hundreds of genes that are modulated upon mating in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Interrogation of genome-wide gene expression in virgin and recently mated males revealed coherent responses, with biological processes that are upregulated (testis-specific gene expression) or downregulated (metabolism and mitochondria-related functions) upon mating. Furthermore, using a panel of genotypes from the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR) as a source of naturally occurring genetic perturbation, we uncover abundant variation in longevity and reproduction-induced mortality among genotypes. Genotypes displayed more than fourfold variation in longevity and reproduction-induced mortality that can be traced to variation in specific segments of the genome. The data reveal individual variation in sensitivity to reproduction and physiological processes that are enhanced and suppressed upon mating. These results raise the prospect that variation in longevity and age-related traits could be traced to processes that coordinate germline and somatic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Branco
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Schilling
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K Silkaitis
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D K Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - B Lemos
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Plakke MS, Deutsch AB, Meslin C, Clark NL, Morehouse NI. Dynamic digestive physiology of a female reproductive organ in a polyandrous butterfly. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 218:1548-55. [PMID: 25994634 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.118323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive traits experience high levels of selection because of their direct ties to fitness, often resulting in rapid adaptive evolution. Much of the work in this area has focused on male reproductive traits. However, a more comprehensive understanding of female reproductive adaptations and their relationship to male characters is crucial to uncover the relative roles of sexual cooperation and conflict in driving co-evolutionary dynamics between the sexes. We focus on the physiology of a complex female reproductive adaptation in butterflies and moths: a stomach-like organ in the female reproductive tract called the bursa copulatrix that digests the male ejaculate (spermatophore). Little is known about how the bursa digests the spermatophore. We characterized bursa proteolytic capacity in relation to female state in the polyandrous butterfly Pieris rapae. We found that the virgin bursa exhibits extremely high levels of proteolytic activity. Furthermore, in virgin females, bursal proteolytic capacity increases with time since eclosion and ambient temperature, but is not sensitive to the pre-mating social environment. Post copulation, bursal proteolytic activity decreases rapidly before rebounding toward the end of a mating cycle, suggesting active female regulation of proteolysis and/or potential quenching of proteolysis by male ejaculate constituents. Using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we report identities for nine proteases actively transcribed by bursal tissue and/or expressed in the bursal lumen that may contribute to observed bursal proteolysis. We discuss how these dynamic physiological characteristics may function as female adaptations resulting from sexual conflict over female remating rate in this polyandrous butterfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Plakke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Aaron B Deutsch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Camille Meslin
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Nathan I Morehouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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10
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Abstract
Sexual conflict occurs whenever there is sexually antagonistic selection on shared traits. When shared traits result from interactions (e.g., mating rate) and have a different genetic basis in each sex (i.e., interlocus conflict), then sex-specific traits that shift the value of these interaction traits toward the sex-specific optimum will be favored. Male traits can be favored that increase the fitness of their male bearers, but decrease the fitness of interacting females. Likewise, female traits that reduce the costs of interacting with harmful males may simultaneously impose costs on males. If the evolution of these antagonistic traits changes the nature of selection acting on the opposite sex, interesting coevolutionary dynamics will result. Here we examine three current issues in the study of sexually antagonistic interactions: the female side of sexual conflict, the ecological context of sexual conflict, and the strength of evidence for sexually antagonistic coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Perry
- Jesus College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3DW, United Kingdom Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Locke Rowe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
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11
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Lee KM, Daubnerová I, Isaac R, Zhang C, Choi S, Chung J, Kim YJ. A Neuronal Pathway that Controls Sperm Ejection and Storage in Female Drosophila. Curr Biol 2015; 25:790-797. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Reinhart M, Carney T, Clark AG, Fiumera AC. Characterizing male-female interactions using natural genetic variation in Drosophila melanogaster. J Hered 2014; 106:67-79. [PMID: 25425680 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esu076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster females commonly mate with multiple males establishing the opportunity for pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection. Traits impacting sexual selection can be affected by a complex interplay of the genotypes of the competing males, the genotype of the female, and compatibilities between the males and females. We scored males from 96 2nd and 94 3rd chromosome substitution lines for traits affecting reproductive success when mated with females from 3 different genetic backgrounds. The traits included male-induced female refractoriness, male remating ability, the proportion of offspring sired under competitive conditions and male-induced female fecundity. We observed significant effects of male line, female genetic background, and strong male by female interactions. Some males appeared to be "generalists" and performed consistently across the different females; other males appeared to be "specialists" and performed very well with a particular female and poorly with others. "Specialist" males did not, however, prefer to court those females with whom they had the highest reproductive fitness. Using 143 polymorphisms in male reproductive genes, we mapped several genes that had consistent effects across the different females including a derived, high fitness allele in Acp26Aa that may be the target of adaptive evolution. We also identified a polymorphism upstream of PebII that may interact with the female genetic background to affect male-induced refractoriness to remating. These results suggest that natural variation in PebII might contribute to the observed male-female interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Reinhart
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY (Reinhart, Carney, and Fiumera); and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY(Clark)
| | - Tara Carney
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY (Reinhart, Carney, and Fiumera); and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY(Clark)
| | - Andrew G Clark
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY (Reinhart, Carney, and Fiumera); and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY(Clark)
| | - Anthony C Fiumera
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY (Reinhart, Carney, and Fiumera); and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY(Clark).
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13
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Zhang R, Clark AG, Fiumera AC. Natural genetic variation in male reproductive genes contributes to nontransitivity of sperm competitive ability inDrosophila melanogaster. Mol Ecol 2012; 22:1400-15. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences; SUNY-Binghamton; Binghamton; NY; 13902; USA
| | - Andrew G. Clark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Cornell University; Ithaca; NY; 13853; USA
| | - Anthony C. Fiumera
- Department of Biological Sciences; SUNY-Binghamton; Binghamton; NY; 13902; USA
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14
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Giardina TJ, Beavis A, Clark AG, Fiumera AC. Female influence on pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection and its genetic basis in Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Ecol 2011; 20:4098-108. [PMID: 21902747 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05253.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation among females is likely to influence the outcome of both pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster. Here we use association testing to survey natural variation in 10 candidate female genes for their effects on female reproduction. Females from 91 chromosome two substitution lines were scored for phenotypes affecting pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection such as mating and remating rate, propensity to use sperm from the second male to mate, and measures of fertility. There were significant genetic contributions to phenotypic variation for all the traits measured. Resequencing of the 10 candidate genes in the 91 lines yielded 68 non-synonymous polymorphisms which were tested for associations with the measured phenotypes. Twelve significant associations (markerwise P<0.01) were identified. Polymorphisms in the putative serine protease homolog CG9897 and the putative odorant binding protein CG11797 associated with female propensity to remate and met an experimentwise significance of P<0.05. Several other associations, including those impacting both fertility and female remating rate suggest that sperm storage might be an important factor mitigating female influence on sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Giardina
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
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15
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Dowling DK, Meerupati T, Arnqvist G. Cytonuclear interactions and the economics of mating in seed beetles. Am Nat 2010; 176:131-40. [PMID: 20524843 DOI: 10.1086/653671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have uncovered an abundance of nonneutral cytoplasmic genetic variation within species, which suggests that we should no longer consider the cytoplasm an idle intermediary of evolutionary change. Nonneutrality of cytoplasmic genomes is particularly intriguing, given that these genomes are maternally transmitted. This means that the fate of any given cytoplasmic genetic mutation is directly tied to its performance when expressed in females. For this reason, it has been hypothesized that cytoplasmic genes will coevolve via a sexually antagonistic arms race with the biparentally transmitted nuclear genes with which they interact. We assess this prediction, examining the intergenomic contributions to the costs and benefits of mating in Callosobruchus maculatus females subjected to a mating treatment with three classes (kept virgin, mated once, or forced to cohabit with a male). We find no evidence that the economics of mating are determined by interactions between cytoplasmic genes expressed in females and nuclear genes expressed in males and, therefore, no support for a sexually antagonistic intergenomic arms race. The cost of mating to females was, however, shaped by an interaction between the cytoplasmic and nuclear genes expressed within females. Thus, cytonuclear interactions are embroiled in the economics of mating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian K Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia.
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16
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van Dijk RE, Pogány A, Komdeur J, Lloyd P, Székely T. Sexual conflict predicts morphology and behavior in two species of penduline tits. BMC Evol Biol 2010; 10:107. [PMID: 20416066 PMCID: PMC2873415 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The evolutionary interests of males and females rarely coincide (sexual conflict), and these conflicting interests influence morphology, behavior and speciation in various organisms. We examined consequences of variation in sexual conflict in two closely-related passerine birds with contrasting breeding systems: the Eurasian penduline tit Remiz pendulinus (EPT) exhibiting a highly polygamous breeding system with sexually antagonistic interests over parental care, and the socially monogamous Cape penduline tit Anthoscopus minutus (CPT). We derived four a priori predictions from sexual conflict theory and tested these using data collected in Central Europe (EPT) and South Africa (CPT). Firstly, we predicted that EPTs exhibit more sexually dimorphic plumage than CPTs due to more intense sexual selection. Secondly, we expected brighter EPT males to provide less care than duller males. Thirdly, since song is a sexually selected trait in many birds, male EPTs were expected to exhibit more complex songs than CPT males. Finally, intense sexual conflict in EPT was expected to lead to low nest attendance as an indication of sexually antagonistic interests, whereas we expected more cooperation between parents in CPT consistent with their socially monogamous breeding system. Results Consistent with our predictions EPTs exhibited greater sexual dimorphism in plumage and more complex song than CPTs, and brighter EPT males provided less care than duller ones. EPT parents attended the nest less frequently and less simultaneously than CPT parents. Conclusions These results are consistent with sexual conflict theory: species in which sexual conflict is more manifested (EPT) exhibited a stronger sexual dimorphism and more elaborated sexually selected traits than species with less intense sexual conflict (CPT). Our results are also consistent with the notion that EPTs attempt to force their partner to work harder as expected under sexual conflict: each member of the breeding pair attempts to shift the costs of care to the other parent. More brightly colored males benefit more from desertion than dull ones, because they are more likely to remate with a new female. Taken together, the comparison between two closely related species with contrasting breeding systems suggest that sexual conflict over care has influenced the evolution of behavior and morphology in penduline tits.
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Affiliation(s)
- René E van Dijk
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
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17
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Sirot LK, LaFlamme BA, Sitnik JL, Rubinstein CD, Avila FW, Chow CY, Wolfner MF. Molecular social interactions: Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid proteins as a case study. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2010; 68:23-56. [PMID: 20109658 PMCID: PMC3925388 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2660(09)68002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Studies of social behavior generally focus on interactions between two or more individual animals. However, these interactions are not simply between whole animals, but also occur between molecules that were produced by the interacting individuals. Such "molecular social interactions" can both influence and be influenced by the organismal-level social interactions. We illustrate this by reviewing the roles played by seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) in molecular social interactions between males and females of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Sfps, which are produced by males and transferred to females during mating, are involved in inherently social interactions with female-derived molecules, and they influence social interactions between males and females and between a female's past and potential future mates. Here, we explore four examples of molecular social interactions involving D. melanogaster Sfps: processes that influence mating, sperm storage, ovulation, and ejaculate transfer. We consider the molecular and organismal players involved in each interaction and the consequences of their interplay for the reproductive success of both sexes. We conclude with a discussion of the ways in which Sfps can both shape and be shaped by (in an evolutionary sense) the molecular social interactions in which they are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mariana F. Wolfner
- Corresponding author: Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, 421 Biotechnology Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853;
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Bretman A, Lawniczak MKN, Boone J, Chapman T. A mating plug protein reduces early female remating in Drosophila melanogaster. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 56:107-113. [PMID: 19800888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 09/09/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mating plugs are formed within the female reproductive tract during mating from male ejaculate constituents or even from male genitalia themselves. Across species, mating plugs have roles in sperm storage and the prevention of female remating. In the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, accessory gland proteins such as the sex peptide are known to reduce female remating, however this effect can take some time to establish, hence other ejaculate components must also be involved. We hypothesised a role for the PEBII mating plug protein in the prevention of early female remating. Using RNA interference we produced PEBII knockdown males. We found that these males were significantly less able to prevent female remating in the 4h following mating. The mating plugs produced by PEBII knockdown males also showed lower levels of autofluorescence in the first 10min after the start of mating, suggesting they differed in composition to those of control males. Reduced levels of PEBII had no effect, however, on fecundity, progeny production or egg-adult viability in the first 24 after mating, suggesting there were no short-term effects of PEB II on sperm transfer, storage or use. Our results show that PEBII has a subtle but significant role in the prevention of early female remating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Bretman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
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Strain-dependent differences in several reproductive traits are not accompanied by early postmating transcriptome changes in female Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2009; 181:1273-80. [PMID: 19237688 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.108.099622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon mating, Drosophila melanogaster females undergo numerous alterations in their behavior and reproductive physiology that are accompanied by small-magnitude transcript-level changes in up to 1700 genes. Many of these postmating transcriptome changes are the direct result of the sperm and seminal fluid proteins (Acps) that females receive from their mates. To begin to determine if the genetic background of the female's mate contributes to the previously described gene expression changes, we assessed whether interactions between the genotypes of two commonly used laboratory strains of D. melanogaster (Canton-S and Oregon R) influence the female's postmating transcriptome as well as several pre- and postcopulatory phenotypes. We find negligible differences in the female's transcriptome at 1-3 hr postmating regardless of the strain of the male with whom she mated. However, a male x female genotype interaction significantly influenced mate selection, and, in some cases, fecundity, fertility, and hatchability. Our data support previous work suggesting that many of the early postmating changes observed in D. melanogaster females are not caused by large modifications of transcript levels. Instead, early postmating phenotypes result from preexisting receptors or pathways that are already in place upon sexual maturity.
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Frentiu FD, Adamski M, McGraw EA, Blows MW, Chenoweth SF. An expressed sequence tag (EST) library for Drosophila serrata, a model system for sexual selection and climatic adaptation studies. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:40. [PMID: 19159479 PMCID: PMC2653539 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 01/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The native Australian fly Drosophila serrata belongs to the highly speciose montium subgroup of the melanogaster species group. It has recently emerged as an excellent model system with which to address a number of important questions, including the evolution of traits under sexual selection and traits involved in climatic adaptation along latitudinal gradients. Understanding the molecular genetic basis of such traits has been limited by a lack of genomic resources for this species. Here, we present the first expressed sequence tag (EST) collection for D. serrata that will enable the identification of genes underlying sexually-selected phenotypes and physiological responses to environmental change and may help resolve controversial phylogenetic relationships within the montium subgroup. RESULTS A normalized cDNA library was constructed from whole fly bodies at several developmental stages, including larvae and adults. Assembly of 11,616 clones sequenced from the 3' end allowed us to identify 6,607 unique contigs, of which at least 90% encoded peptides. Partial transcripts were discovered from a variety of genes of evolutionary interest by BLASTing contigs against the 12 Drosophila genomes currently sequenced. By incorporating into the cDNA library multiple individuals from populations spanning a large portion of the geographical range of D. serrata, we were able to identify 11,057 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with 278 different contigs having at least one "double hit" SNP that is highly likely to be a real polymorphism. At least 394 EST-associated microsatellite markers, representing 355 different contigs, were also found, providing an additional set of genetic markers. The assembled EST library is available online at http://www.chenowethlab.org/serrata/index.cgi. CONCLUSION We have provided the first gene collection and largest set of polymorphic genetic markers, to date, for the fly D. serrata. The EST collection will provide much needed genomic resources for this model species and facilitate comparative evolutionary studies within the montium subgroup of the D. melanogaster lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca D Frentiu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Marcin Adamski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elizabeth A McGraw
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mark W Blows
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen F Chenoweth
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Fricke C, Wigby S, Hobbs R, Chapman T. The benefits of male ejaculate sex peptide transfer in Drosophila melanogaster. J Evol Biol 2008; 22:275-86. [PMID: 19032499 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01638.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The accessory gland protein (Acp) ejaculate molecules of male Drosophila melanogaster mediate sexual selection and sexual conflict at the molecular level. However, to date no studies have comprehensively measured the timing and magnitude of fitness benefits to males of transferring specific Acps. This is an important omission because without this information it is not possible to fully understand the strength and form of selection acting on adaptations such as Acps. Here, we measured the fitness benefits to males of ejaculate sex peptide (SP) transfer. SP is of interest because it is a candidate for mediating sexual conflict: its frequent receipt reduces female fitness. In single matings with virgin females SP is known to increase egg laying and decrease receptivity. Hence, we predicted that SP could: (i) boost a male's absolute paternity by increasing offspring production and delaying female remating and/or (ii) boost relative paternity share. We tested these predictions using two different lines of SP-lacking males, in both two-mating and free-mating assay conditions. SP transfer conferred higher absolute, but not relative, male reproductive success. In matings with virgin females, SP transfer increased mating productivity and delayed remating and hence the onset of sperm competition. In already mated females, SP transfer did not elevate absolute progeny production, but did increase intermating intervals and hence the period over which a male could gain paternity. Consistent with this, under free-mating conditions over an extended period, we detected a 'per-mating' fitness benefit for males transferring SP. These benefits are consistent with a role for SP in mediating conflict, with SP acting to maximize short-term fitness benefits for males.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fricke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
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Fiumera AC, Dumont BL, Clark AG. Associations between sperm competition and natural variation in male reproductive genes on the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2007; 176:1245-60. [PMID: 17435238 PMCID: PMC1894588 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.106.064915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2006] [Accepted: 04/07/2007] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We applied association analysis to elucidate the genetic basis for variation in phenotypes affecting postcopulatory sexual selection in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster. We scored 96 third chromosome substitution lines for nine phenotypes affecting sperm competitive ability and genotyped them at 72 polymorphisms in 13 male reproductive genes. Significant heterogeneity among lines (P < 0.01) was detected for all phenotypes except male-induced refractoriness (P = 0.053). We identified 24 associations (8 single-marker associations, 12 three-marker haplotype associations, and 4 cases of epistasis revealed by single-marker interactions). Fewer than 9 of these associations are likely to be false positives. Several associations were consistent with previous findings [Acp70A with the male's influence on the female's refractoriness to remating (refractory), Esterase-6 with a male's remating probability (remating) and a measure of female offspring production (fecundity)], but many are novel associations with uncharacterized seminal fluid proteins. Four genes showed evidence for pleiotropic effects [CG6168 with a measure of sperm competition (P2') and refractory, CG14560 with a defensive measure of sperm competition (P1') and a measure of female fecundity, Acp62F with P2' and a measure of female fecundity, and Esterase-6 with remating and a measure of female fecundity]. Our findings provide evidence that pleiotropy and epistasis are important factors in the genetic architecture of male reproductive success and show that haplotype analyses can identify associations missed in the single-marker approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Fiumera
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
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Tregenza T, Wedell N, Chapman T. Introduction. Sexual conflict: a new paradigm? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2006; 361:229-34. [PMID: 16612883 PMCID: PMC1569611 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2005.1796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T Tregenza
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter in Cornwall, Tremough Campus, UK
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Abstract
Inter-locus sexual conflict occurs by definition when there is sexually antagonistic selection on a trait so that the optimal trait value differs between the sexes. As a result, there is selection on each sex to manipulate the trait towards its own optimum and resist such manipulation by the other sex. Sexual conflict often leads additionally to the evolution of harmful behaviour and to self-reinforcing and even perpetual sexually antagonistic coevolution. In an attempt to understand the determinants of these different outcomes, I compare two groups of traits-those related to parental investment (PI) and to mating-over which there is sexual conflict, but which have to date been explored by largely separate research traditions. A brief review suggests that sexual conflict over PI, particularly over PI per offspring, leads less frequently to the evolution of manipulative behaviour, and rarely to the evolution of harmful behaviour or to the rapid evolutionary changes which may be symptomatic of sexually antagonistic coevolution. The chief determinants of the evolutionary outcome of sexual conflict are the benefits of manipulation and resistance, the costs of manipulation and resistance, and the feasibility of manipulation. All three of these appear to contribute to the differences in the evolutionary outcome of conflicts over PI and mating. A detailed dissection of the evolutionary changes following from sexual conflict exposes greater complexity than a simple adaptation-counter-adaptation cycle and clarifies the role of harm. Not all of the evolutionary changes that follow from sexual conflict are sexually antagonistic, and harm is not necessary for sexually antagonistic coevolution to occur. In particular, whereas selection on the trait over which there is conflict is by definition sexually antagonistic, collateral harm is usually in the interest of neither sex. This creates the opportunity for palliative adaptations which reduce collateral harm. Failure to recognize that such adaptations are in the interest of both sexes can hinder our understanding of the evolutionary outcome of sexual conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Lessells
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, The Netherlands.
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