1
|
Lymbery SJ, Tomkins JL, Buzatto BA, Hosken DJ. Kin-mediated plasticity in alternative reproductive tactics. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211069. [PMID: 34344179 PMCID: PMC8334832 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditional strategies occur when the relative fitness pay-off from expressing a given phenotype is contingent upon environmental circumstances. This conditional strategy model underlies cases of alternative reproductive tactics, in which individuals of one sex employ different means to obtain reproduction. How kin structure affects the expression of alternative reproductive tactics remains unexplored. We address this using the mite Rhizoglyphus echinopus, in which large males develop into aggressive 'fighters' and small males develop into non-aggressive 'scramblers.' Because only fighters kill their rivals, they should incur a greater indirect fitness cost when competing with their relatives, and thus fighter expression could be reduced in the presence of relatives. We raised mites in full-sibling or mixed-sibship groups and found that fighters were more common at higher body weights in full-sibling groups, not less common as we predicted (small individuals were almost exclusively scramblers in both treatments). This result could be explained if relatedness and cue variability are interpreted signals of population density, since fighters are more common at low densities in this species. Alternatively, our results may indicate that males compete more intensely with relatives in this species. We provide the first evidence of kin-mediated plasticity in the expression of alternative reproductive tactics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Lymbery
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joseph L. Tomkins
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Bruno A. Buzatto
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences (E8C 209), Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J. Hosken
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hawkes MF, Duffy E, Joag R, Skeats A, Radwan J, Wedell N, Sharma MD, Hosken DJ, Troscianko J. Sexual selection drives the evolution of male wing interference patterns. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182850. [PMID: 31138076 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The seemingly transparent wings of many insects have recently been found to display unexpected structural coloration. These structural colours (wing interference patterns: WIPs) may be involved in species recognition and mate choice, yet little is known about the evolutionary processes that shape them. Furthermore, to date investigations of WIPs have not fully considered how they are actually perceived by the viewers' colour vision. Here, we use multispectral digital imaging and a model of Drosophila vision to compare WIPs of male and female Drosophila simulans from replicate populations forced to evolve with or without sexual selection for 68 generations. We show that WIPs modelled in Drosophila vision evolve in response to sexual selection and provide evidence that WIPs correlate with male sexual attractiveness. These findings add a new element to the otherwise well-described Drosophila courtship display and confirm that wing colours evolve through sexual selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M F Hawkes
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| | - E Duffy
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK.,2 Institute of Environmental Science, Jagiellonian University , Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow , Poland
| | - R Joag
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK.,2 Institute of Environmental Science, Jagiellonian University , Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow , Poland
| | - A Skeats
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| | - J Radwan
- 2 Institute of Environmental Science, Jagiellonian University , Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow , Poland.,3 Evolutionary Biology Group, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University , Umultowska 7, 61-614 Poznan , Poland
| | - N Wedell
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| | - M D Sharma
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| | - D J Hosken
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| | - J Troscianko
- 1 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Tremough, Penryn TR10 9FE , UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nguyen TTX, Moehring AJ. Males from populations with higher competitive mating success produce sons with lower fitness. J Evol Biol 2019; 32:528-534. [PMID: 30811733 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Female mate choice can result in direct benefits to the female or indirect benefits through her offspring. Females can increase their fitness by mating with males whose genes encode increased survivorship and reproductive output. Alternatively, male investment in enhanced mating success may come at the cost of reduced investment in offspring fitness. Here, we measure male mating success in a mating arena that allows for male-male, male-female and female-female interactions in Drosophila melanogaster. We then use isofemale line population measurements to correlate male mating success with sperm competitive ability, the number of offspring produced and the indirect benefits of the number of offspring produced by daughters and sons. We find that males from populations that gain more copulations do not increase female fitness through increased offspring production, nor do these males fare better in sperm competition. Instead, we find that these populations have a reduced reproductive output of sons, indicating a potential reproductive trade-off between male mating success and offspring quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trinh T X Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Candolin U. Mate choice in a changing world. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1246-1260. [PMID: 30762277 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Human activities by altering environmental conditions are influencing the mate choice of animals. This is by impacts on: (i) the production and expression of traits evaluated by mate choosers; (ii) the transmission of information about potential mates to choosers; (iii) the reception and processing of the information by choosers; and (iv) the final mate choice. Here, I first discuss how these four stages of the mate-choice process can be altered by environmental change, and how these alterations, in turn, can influence individuals, populations, and communities. Much evidence exists for human-induced environmental changes influencing mate choice, but the consequences for the fitness of courters and choosers are less well known, and even less is known about the impact on population dynamics, species interactions and community composition. More evidence exists for altered mate-choice systems influencing interspecific matings and thereby community composition and biodiversity. I then consider whether plastic adjustments and evolutionary changes can rescue adaptive mate-choice systems, and reflect on the possibility of non-adaptive mate-choice systems becoming less maladaptive under environmental change. Much evidence exists for plastic adjustments of mate-choice systems, but whether these are adaptive is seldom known, as is the contribution of genetic changes. Finally, I contemplate the possibility of mate-choice systems rescuing populations from decline in changing environments. I explain how this is context dependent with both positive and negative outcomes possible. In summary, while much evidence exists for human-induced environmental changes influencing mate-choice systems, less is known about the consequences for ecological and evolutionary processes. Considering the importance that mate choice plays in determining individual fitness and population viability, the effects of environmental change on mate-choice systems should be considered in studies on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of human disturbances to habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sex pheromone levels are associated with paternity rate in brown rats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
6
|
Macedo RH, Podos J, Graves JA, Manica LT. Breeding clusters in birds: ecological selective contexts, mating systems and the role of extrapair fertilizations. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
7
|
Henneken J, Jones TM. Pheromones-based sexual selection in a rapidly changing world. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 24:84-88. [PMID: 29208228 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Insects utilise chemical cues for a range of different purposes and the complexity and degree of specificity of these signals is arguably unparalleled in the animal kingdom. Chemical signals are particularly important for insect reproduction and the selective pressures driving their evolution and maintenance have been the subject of previous reviews. However, the world in which chemical cues evolved and are maintained is changing at an unprecedented rate. How (or indeed whether) chemical signals used in sexual selection will respond is largely unknown. Here, we explore how recent increases in urbanisation and associated anthropogenic impacts may affect how chemical signals are produced and perceived. We focus on four anthropomorphic influences which have the potential to interact with pheromone-mediated sexual selection processes; climatic temperature shifts, exposure to chemical pollutants, the presence of artificial light at night and nutrient availability. Our aim is to provide a broad overview of key areas where the rapidly changing environment of the future might specifically affect pheromones utilised in sexual selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Henneken
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Therésa M Jones
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Booksmythe I, Rundle HD, Arnqvist G. Sexual dimorphism in epicuticular compounds despite similar sexual selection in sex role-reversed seed beetles. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:2005-2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- I. Booksmythe
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - H. D. Rundle
- Department of Biology; University of Ottawa; Ottawa ON Canada
| | - G. Arnqvist
- Department of Animal Ecology; Evolutionary Biology Centre; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Henneken J, Goodger JQD, Jones TM, Elgar MA. Variation in the web-based chemical cues of Argiope keyserlingi. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 101:15-21. [PMID: 28606855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones are chemical compounds used to transmit information between individuals of the same species. Pheromone composition is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Numerous studies, predominately of insects, have demonstrated a role for diet in pheromone expression. The chemical composition of spider web-silk varies with diet and in many species these chemicals are crucial to mate choice processes. Here, we investigated individual variation in the chemical compounds found on the surface of web-silk of female Argiope keyserlingi, and further explored the degree to which they are influenced by diet, investment in egg sac production and site of collection. We observed variation in the web-based chemical cues both between and within individuals. Additionally, we found that some of this variation could be explained by diet and gravid status but not by collection site. We discuss our findings in relation to mate choice processes and the costs and benefits of the observed variation in these web-based chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Henneken
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jason Q D Goodger
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Therèsa M Jones
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Archer CR, Stephens RM, Sharma MD, Hosken DJ. The Drosophila simulans Y chromosome interacts with the autosomes to influence male fitness. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:1821-1825. [PMID: 28703322 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Y chromosome should degenerate because it cannot recombine. However, male-limited transmission increases selection efficiency for male-benefit alleles on the Y, and therefore, Y chromosomes should contribute significantly to variation in male fitness. This means that although the Drosophila Y chromosome is small and gene-poor, Y-linked genes are vital for male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster and the Y chromosome has large male fitness effects. It is unclear whether the same pattern is seen in the closely related Drosophila simulans. We backcrossed Y chromosomes from three geographic locations into five genetic backgrounds and found strong Y and genetic background effects on male fertility. There was a significant Y-background interaction, indicating substantial epistasis between the Y and autosomal genes affecting male fertility. This supports accumulating evidence that interactions between the Y chromosome and the autosomes are key determinants of male fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C R Archer
- Science and Engineering Research Support Facility Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - R M Stephens
- Science and Engineering Research Support Facility Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - M D Sharma
- Science and Engineering Research Support Facility Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - D J Hosken
- Science and Engineering Research Support Facility Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Henneken J, Goodger JQD, Jones TM, Elgar MA. Diet-Mediated Pheromones and Signature Mixtures Can Enforce Signal Reliability. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2016.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
|
12
|
Travers LM, Garcia-Gonzalez F, Simmons LW. Genetic variation but weak genetic covariation between pre- and post-copulatory episodes of sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster. J Evol Biol 2016; 29:1535-52. [PMID: 27159063 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
When females mate polyandrously, male reproductive success depends both on the male's ability to attain matings and on his ability to outcompete rival males in the fertilization of ova post-copulation. Increased investment in ejaculate components may trade off with investment in precopulatory traits due to resource allocation. Alternatively, pre- and post-copulatory traits could be positively related if individuals can afford to invest heavily in traits advantageous at both episodes of selection. There is empirical evidence for both positive and negative associations between pre- and post-copulatory episodes, but little is known about the genetic basis of these correlations. In this study, we measured morphological, chemical and behavioural precopulatory male traits and investigated their relationship with measures of male fitness (male mating success, remating inhibition and offensive sperm competitiveness) across 40 isofemale lines of Drosophila melanogaster. We found significant variation among isofemale lines, indicating a genetic basis for most of the traits investigated. However, we found weak evidence for genetic correlations between precopulatory traits and our indices of male fitness. Moreover, pre- and post-copulatory episodes of selection were uncorrelated, suggesting selection may act independently at the different episodes to maximize male reproductive success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L M Travers
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - F Garcia-Gonzalez
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Doñana Biological Station, Spanish Research Council CSIC, Isla de la Cartuja, Seville, Spain
| | - L W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Henneken J, Jones TM, Goodger JQ, Dias DA, Walter A, Elgar MA. Diet influences female signal reliability for male mate choice. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
14
|
Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons as Dynamic Traits in Sexual Communication. INSECTS 2015; 6:732-42. [PMID: 26463413 PMCID: PMC4598662 DOI: 10.3390/insects6030732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated extensive within-species variation in pheromone expression in insect species, contrary to the view that pheromones are largely invariant within species. In fact, many studies on insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) show that pheromones can be highly dynamic traits that can express significant short-term plasticity across both abiotic and social environments. It is likely that this variability in CHC expression contributes to their important role in sexual signaling and mate choice. In this review, I discuss CHC plasticity and how this might influence sexual communication. I also highlight two important avenues for future research: examining plasticity in how individuals respond to CHC signals, and testing how sexual communication varies across abiotic and social environments.
Collapse
|
15
|
Lane SM, Solino JH, Mitchell C, Blount JD, Okada K, Hunt J, House CM. Rival male chemical cues evoke changes in male pre- and post-copulatory investment in a flour beetle. Behav Ecol 2015; 26:1021-1029. [PMID: 26167098 PMCID: PMC4495758 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Males can gather information on the risk and intensity of sperm competition from their social environment. Recent studies have implicated chemosensory cues, for instance cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in insects, as a key source of this information. Here, using the broad-horned flour beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus), we investigated the importance of contact-derived rival male CHCs in informing male perception of sperm competition risk and intensity. We experimentally perfumed virgin females with male CHCs via direct intersexual contact and measured male pre- and post-copulatory investment in response to this manipulation. Using chemical analysis, we verified that this treatment engendered changes to perfumed female CHC profiles, but did not make perfumed females "smell" mated. Despite this, males responded to these chemical changes. Males increased courtship effort under low levels of perceived competition (from 1-3 rivals), but significantly decreased courtship effort as perceived competition rose (from 3-5 rivals). Furthermore, our measurement of ejaculate investment showed that males allocated significantly more sperm to perfumed females than to control females. Together, these results suggest that changes in female chemical profile elicited by contact with rival males do not provide males with information on female mating status, but rather inform males of the presence of rivals within the population and thus provide a means for males to indirectly assess the risk of sperm competition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Lane
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK
| | - Joanna H Solino
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK , ; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Vector Control Department , Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA , UK
| | - Christopher Mitchell
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK , ; Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus , Penrith, New South Wales 2751 , Australia , and
| | - Jonathan D Blount
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK
| | - Kensuke Okada
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University , Tsushima-naka 1-1-1, Okayama , Japan
| | - John Hunt
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK
| | - Clarissa M House
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus , Cornwall TR10 9EZ , UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Okada K, Katsuki M, Sharma MD, House CM, Hosken DJ. Sexual conflict over mating in Gnatocerus cornutus? Females prefer lovers not fighters. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20140281. [PMID: 24807253 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Female mate choice and male-male competition are the typical mechanisms of sexual selection. However, these two mechanisms do not always favour the same males. Furthermore, it has recently become clear that female choice can sometimes benefit males that reduce female fitness. So whether male-male competition and female choice favour the same or different males, and whether or not females benefit from mate choice, remain open questions. In the horned beetle, Gnatocerus cornutus, males have enlarged mandibles used to fight rivals, and larger mandibles provide a mating advantage when there is direct male-male competition for mates. However, it is not clear whether females prefer these highly competitive males. Here, we show that female choice targets male courtship rather than mandible size, and these two characters are not phenotypically or genetically correlated. Mating with attractive, highly courting males provided indirect benefits to females but only via the heritability of male attractiveness. However, mating with attractive males avoids the indirect costs to daughters that are generated by mating with competitive males. Our results suggest that male-male competition may constrain female mate choice, possibly reducing female fitness and generating sexual conflict over mating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Okada
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, , Tsushima-naka 1-1-1, Okayama 700-8530, Japan, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, , Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan, Centre for Conservation and Ecology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, , Tremough, Penryn TR109EZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Stojkovi B, Savkovi U, or evi M, Tuci N. Host-shift effects on mating behavior and incipient pre-mating isolation in seed beetle. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
|
18
|
Genetic variation and covariation in male attractiveness and female mating preferences in Drosophila melanogaster. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2014; 4:79-88. [PMID: 24212081 PMCID: PMC3887542 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.007468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
How mating preferences evolve remains one of the major unsolved mysteries in evolutionary biology. One major impediment to the study of ornament-preference coevolution is that many aspects of the theoretical literature remain loosely connected to empirical data. Theoretical models typically streamline mating preferences by describing preference functions with a single parameter, a modeling convenience that may veil important aspects of preference evolution. Here, we use a high-throughput behavioral assay in Drosophila melanogaster to quantify attractiveness and multiple components of preferences in both males and females. Females varied genetically with respect to how they ranked males in terms of attractiveness as well as the extent to which they discriminated among different males. Conversely, males showed consistent preferences for females, suggesting that D. melanogaster males tend to rank different female phenotypes in the same order in terms of attractiveness. Moreover, we reveal a heretofore undocumented positive genetic correlation between male attractiveness and female choosiness, which is a measure of the variability in a female’s response to different male phenotypes. This genetic correlation sets the stage for female choosiness to evolve via a correlated response to selection on male traits and potentially adds a new dimension to the Fisherian sexual selection process.
Collapse
|
19
|
Ingleby FC, Hunt J, Hosken DJ. Genotype-by-environment interactions for female mate choice of male cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila simulans. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67623. [PMID: 23825675 PMCID: PMC3692475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the potential importance of environmental and genotype-by-environment (G×E) variation in sexual selection, but most studies have focussed on the expression of male sexual traits. Consequently, our understanding of genetic variation for plasticity in female mate choice is extremely poor. In this study we examine the genetics of female mate choice in Drosophila simulans using isolines reared across two post-eclosion temperatures. There was evidence for G×Es in female choosiness and preference, which suggests that the evolution of female mate choice behaviour could differ across environments. However, the ranked order of preferred males was consistent across females and environments, so the same males are favoured by mate choice in spite of G×Es. Our study highlights the importance of taking cross-environment perspectives in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the operation of sexual selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C. Ingleby
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, United Kingdom
- University of Sussex, John Maynard Smith Building, Falmer, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - John Hunt
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Hosken
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sexual and natural selection both influence male genital evolution. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63807. [PMID: 23717488 PMCID: PMC3661765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and divergent evolution of male genital morphology is a conspicuous and general pattern across internally fertilizing animals. Rapid genital evolution is thought to be the result of sexual selection, and the role of natural selection in genital evolution remains controversial. However, natural and sexual selection are believed to act antagonistically on male genital form. We conducted an experimental evolution study to investigate the combined effects of natural and sexual selection on the genital-arch lobes of male Drosophila simulans. Replicate populations were forced to evolve under lifetime monogamy (relaxed sexual selection) or lifetime polyandry (elevated sexual selection) and two temperature regimes, 25°C (relaxed natural selection) or 27°C (elevated natural selection) in a fully factorial design. We found that natural and sexual selection plus their interaction caused genital evolution. Natural selection caused some aspects of genital form to evolve away from their sexually selected shape, whereas natural and sexual selection operated in the same direction for other shape components. Additionally, sexual and natural selection tended to favour larger genitals. Thus we find that the underlying selection driving genital evolution is complex, does not only involve sexual selection, and that natural selection and sexual selection do not always act antagonistically.
Collapse
|
21
|
Ingleby FC, Hosken DJ, Flowers K, Hawkes MF, Lane SM, Rapkin J, Dworkin I, Hunt J. Genotype-by-environment interactions for cuticular hydrocarbon expression in Drosophila simulans. J Evol Biol 2012; 26:94-107. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. C. Ingleby
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - D. J. Hosken
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - K. Flowers
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - M. F. Hawkes
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - S. M. Lane
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - J. Rapkin
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| | - I. Dworkin
- Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior; Department of Zoology; Michigan State University; East Lansing MI USA
| | - J. Hunt
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; School of Biosciences; University of Exeter; Tremough Penryn UK
| |
Collapse
|