1
|
Padilla-Morales B, Acuña-Alonzo AP, Kilili H, Castillo-Morales A, Díaz-Barba K, Maher KH, Fabian L, Mourkas E, Székely T, Serrano-Meneses MA, Cortez D, Ancona S, Urrutia AO. Sexual size dimorphism in mammals is associated with changes in the size of gene families related to brain development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6257. [PMID: 39048570 PMCID: PMC11269740 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50386-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammals, sexual size dimorphism often reflects the intensity of sexual selection, yet its connection to genomic evolution remains unexplored. Gene family size evolution can reflect shifts in the relative importance of different molecular functions. Here, we investigate the associate between brain development gene repertoire to sexual size dimorphism using 124 mammalian species. We reveal significant changes in gene family size associations with sexual size dimorphism. High levels of dimorphism correlate with an expansion of gene families enriched in olfactory sensory perception and a contraction of gene families associated with brain development functions, many of which exhibited particularly high expression in the human adult brain. These findings suggest a relationship between intense sexual selection and alterations in gene family size. These insights illustrate the complex interplay between sexual dimorphism, gene family size evolution, and their roles in mammalian brain development and function, offering a valuable understanding of mammalian genome evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Padilla-Morales
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | | | - Huseyin Kilili
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - Karina Díaz-Barba
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Mexico city, 04510, Mexico
- Licenciatura en ciencias genómicas, UNAM, Cuernavaca, 62210, México
| | - Kathryn H Maher
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Laurie Fabian
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Evangelos Mourkas
- Zoonosis Science Centre, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Martin-Alejandro Serrano-Meneses
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Sta. Catarina Mártir, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, 72810, México
| | - Diego Cortez
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Cuernavaca, 62210, México
| | - Sergio Ancona
- Instituto de Ecología, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, UNAM, México City, 04510, México
| | - Araxi O Urrutia
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
- Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Mexico city, 04510, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jones ME, Sheard C. The macroevolutionary dynamics of mammalian sexual size dimorphism. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231211. [PMID: 37964522 PMCID: PMC10646455 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a common phenomenon across the animal kingdom. Mammals are unusual in primarily displaying male-biased SSD, where males of a species are typically larger than females. The driving factors behind the evolution of this SSD have been much debated, with popular hypotheses invoking the influence of mating system and social organization via sexual selection, dietary niche divergence and broad-scale correlations with body size (Rensch's rule). Here, we investigate the macroevolutionary origins and maintenance of SSD among mammals, using phylogenetic general mixed linear models and a comprehensive global dataset to evaluate correlations of diet, body mass, seasonality, social organization and mating system with SSD type. We find that SSD as a whole is lost at a greater rate than it is gained, with female-biased SSD being particularly unstable. Non-monogamous mating systems, vertebrate prey consumption and temperature seasonality correlate with male-biased SSD, while polyandry correlates with female-biased SSD, and both types of SSD are positively correlated with body mass. This is in partial contrast to the predictions of Rensch's rule, which predicts that female-biased SSD would correlate negatively with body size. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of considering multiple ecological and social drivers when evaluating the macroevolutionary trajectory of sex differences in body size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Jones
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, 176 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9QQ, UK
- Bristol Palaeobiology Group, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Catherine Sheard
- Bristol Palaeobiology Group, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Ave, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smit N, Dezeure J, Sauvadet L, Huchard E, Charpentier MJ. Socially bonded females face more sexual coercion in a female-philopatric primate. iScience 2023; 26:107358. [PMID: 37766985 PMCID: PMC10520811 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual coercion is a manifestation of sexual conflict increasing male mating success while inflicting costs to females. Although previous work has examined inter-individual variation in male sexually coercive tactics, little is known about female counter-strategies. We investigated whether social bonding mitigates the extent of sexual coercion faced by female mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), as a putative mechanism linking sociality to fitness. Surprisingly, females faced the most coercion from those males with whom they formed the strongest bonds, while the strength of a female-male bond was also positively correlated with coercion from all other males. Finally, greater social integration in the female network was positively correlated with coercion, through a direct 'public exposure' mechanism and not mediated by female reproductive success or retaliation potential. Altogether, this study shows that neither between- nor within-sex bonds are protective against sexual coercion and identifies, instead, a hidden cost of social bonding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Smit
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Elise Huchard
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie J.E. Charpentier
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Bücklestrasse 5, 78467 Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Erofeeva MN, Vasilieva NA, Ananyeva MS, Klyuchnikova PS, Naidenko SV. Meeting with a male can lead to stress: female reaction to a pairing with a partner in Felidae. Behav Processes 2023; 208:104876. [PMID: 37059370 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the level of sexual dimorphism modulates the effects of male-female social interaction on the female physiological condition in felids. We predicted that: 1 - contacts of females with males in species with low level of sexual dimorphism in body size will not lead to significant changes in the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (female stress); 2 - contacts of females with males in species with a high level of sexual dimorphism can result in significant increase in the cortisol level in females. Our study did not support these hypotheses. Despite the fact that sexual dimorphism influenced partner relationships, changes of the activity of HPA in response to social interaction with a partner appeared to be determined by the biology of the species rather than by the degree of sexual dimorphism. In species with unexpressed sexual dimorphism in body size, females determined the character of relationships in the pair. In species with pronounced sexual dimorphism biased towards males, the pattern of relationships was determined by males. However, meeting a partner led to increased cortisol levels in females not in pairs with pronounced sexual dimorphism, but in pairs with a high frequency of partner interactions. This frequency was determined by the species life history and was probably related to the seasonality of reproduction and the degree of monopolization of the home range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryia N Erofeeva
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nina A Vasilieva
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | | | | | - Sergey V Naidenko
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Volzke S, Cleeland JB, Hindell MA, Corney SP, Wotherspoon SJ, McMahon CR. Extreme polygyny results in intersex differences in age-dependent survival of a highly dimorphic marine mammal. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221635. [PMID: 36968236 PMCID: PMC10031410 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Developmental differences in vital rates are especially profound in polygamous mating systems. Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) are highly dimorphic and extremely polygynous marine mammals. A demographic model, supported by long-term capture-mark-recapture records, investigated the influence of sex and age on survival in this species. The study revealed clear differences between female and male age-dependent survival rates. Overall juvenile survival estimates were stable around 80-85% for both sexes. However, male survival estimates were 5-10% lower than females in the same age classes until 8 years of age. At this point, male survival decreased rapidly to 50% ± 10% while female estimates remained constant at 80% ± 5%. Different energetic requirements could underpin intersex differences in adult survival. However, the species' strong sexual dimorphism diverges during early juvenile development when sex-specific survival rates were less distinct. Maximizing growth is especially advantageous for males, with size being a major determinant of breeding probability. Maturing males may employ a high-risk high-reward foraging strategy to compensate for extensive sexual selection pressures and sex-specific energetic needs. Our findings suggest sex-specific adult survival is a result of in situ ecological interactions and evolutionary specialization associated with being a highly polygynous marine predator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Volzke
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
| | - Jaimie B. Cleeland
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
| | - Mark A. Hindell
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - Stuart P. Corney
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
- Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Partnership Program, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - Simon J. Wotherspoon
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
| | - Clive R. McMahon
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
- IMOS Animal Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cassini MH. Role of sexual and natural selection in the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in primates. J Zool (1987) 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. H. Cassini
- Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental Buenos Aires Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
McCormick SK, Laubach ZM, Strauss ED, Montgomery TM, Holekamp KE. Evaluating drivers of female dominance in the spotted hyena. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.934659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionDominance relationships in which females dominate males are rare among mammals. Mechanistic hypotheses explaining the occurrence of female dominance suggest that females dominate males because (1) they are intrinsically more aggressive or less submissive than males, and/or (2) they have access to more social support than males.MethodsHere, we examine the determinants of female dominance across ontogenetic development in spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) using 30 years of detailed behavioral observations from the Mara Hyena Project to evaluate these two hypotheses.ResultsAmong adult hyenas, we find that females spontaneously aggress at higher rates than males, whereas males spontaneously submit at higher rates than females. Once an aggressive interaction has been initiated, adult females are more likely than immigrant males to elicit submission from members of the opposite sex, and both adult natal and immigrant males are more likely than adult females to offer submission in response to an aggressive act. We also find that adult male aggressors are more likely to receive social support than are adult female aggressors, and that both adult natal and immigrant males are 2–3 times more likely to receive support when attacking a female than when attacking another male. Across all age classes, females are more likely than males to be targets of aggressive acts that occur with support. Further, receiving social support does slightly help immigrant males elicit submission from adult females compared to immigrant males acting alone, and it also helps females elicit submission from other females. However, adult females can dominate immigrant males with or without support far more often than immigrant males can dominate females, even when the immigrants are supported against females.DiscussionOverall, we find evidence for both mechanisms hypothesized to mediate female dominance in this species: (1) male and female hyenas clearly differ in their aggressive and submissive tendencies, and (2) realized social support plays an important role in shaping dominance relationships within a clan. Nevertheless, our results suggest that social support alone cannot explain sex-biased dominance in spotted hyenas. Although realized social support can certainly influence fight outcomes among females, adult females can easily dominate immigrant males without any support at all.
Collapse
|
8
|
Davidian E, Surbeck M, Lukas D, Kappeler PM, Huchard E. The eco-evolutionary landscape of power relationships between males and females. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:706-718. [PMID: 35597702 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In animal societies, control over resources and reproduction is often biased towards one sex. Yet, the ecological and evolutionary underpinnings of male-female power asymmetries remain poorly understood. We outline a comprehensive framework to quantify and predict the dynamics of male-female power relationships within and across mammalian species. We show that male-female power relationships are more nuanced and flexible than previously acknowledged. We then propose that enhanced reproductive control over when and with whom to mate predicts social empowerment across ecological and evolutionary contexts. The framework explains distinct pathways to sex-biased power: coercion and male-biased dimorphism constitute a co-evolutionary highway to male power, whereas female power emerges through multiple physiological, morphological, behavioural, and socioecological pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eve Davidian
- Ngorongoro Hyena Project, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha, Tanzania.
| | - Martin Surbeck
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dieter Lukas
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology Unit, Leibniz Institute of Primate Biology, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Sociobiology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elise Huchard
- Anthropologie Évolutive, Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier (ISEM), Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Williams JL, Harley D, Watchorn D, McBurney L, Lindenmayer DB. Relationship between body weight and elevation in Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri). AUST J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/zo21042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
10
|
Hex SBSW, Tombak K, Rubenstein DI. A new classification of mammalian uni-male multi-female groups based on the fundamental principles governing inter- and intrasexual relationships. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
11
|
Shannon G, Sadler P, Smith J, Roylance-Casson E, Cordes LS. Contrasting selection pressure on body and weapon size in a polygynous megaherbivore. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210368. [PMID: 34610251 PMCID: PMC8492169 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a common morphological trait in ungulates, with polygyny considered the leading driver of larger male body mass and weapon size. However, not all polygynous species exhibit SSD, while molecular evidence has revealed a more complex relationship between paternity and mating system than originally predicted. SSD is, therefore, likely to be shaped by a range of social, ecological and physiological factors. We present the first definitive analysis of SSD in the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) using a unique morphological dataset collected from 2994 aged individuals. The results confirm that hippos exhibit SSD, but the mean body mass differed by only 5% between the sexes, which is rather limited compared with many other polygynous ungulates. However, jaw and canine mass are significantly greater in males than females (44% and 81% heavier, respectively), highlighting the considerable selection pressure for acquiring larger weapons. A predominantly aquatic lifestyle coupled with the physiological limitations of their foregut fermenting morphology likely restricts body size differences between the sexes. Indeed, hippos appear to be a rare example among ungulates whereby sexual selection favours increased weapon size over body mass, underlining the important role that species-specific ecology and physiology have in shaping SSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Shannon
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Phoebe Sadler
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Joanna Smith
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | | | - Line S. Cordes
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Slone DH, Landeo-Yauri SS, Ramos EA, Alvarez-Alemán A, Attademo FLN, Beck CA, Bonde RK, Butler SM, Cabrias-Contreras LJ, Caicedo-Herrera D, Galves J, Gómez-Camelo IV, González-Socoloske D, Jiménez-Domínguez D, Luna FO, Mona-Sanabria Y, Morales-Vela JB, Olivera-Gómez LD, Padilla-Saldívar JA, Powell J, Reid JP, Rieucau G, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. Analysis of body condition indices reveals different ecotypes of the Antillean manatee. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19451. [PMID: 34593916 PMCID: PMC8484672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the body condition of wild animals is necessary to monitor the health of the population and is critical to defining a framework for conservation actions. Body condition indices (BCIs) are a non-invasive and relatively simple means to assess the health of individual animals, useful for addressing a wide variety of ecological, behavioral, and management questions. The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is an endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee, facing a wide variety of threats from mostly human-related origins. Our objective was to define specific BCIs for the subspecies that, coupled with additional health, genetic and demographic information, can be valuable to guide management decisions. Biometric measurements of 380 wild Antillean manatees captured in seven different locations within their range of distribution were obtained. From this information, we developed three BCIs (BCI1 = UG/SL, BCI2 = W/SL3, BCI3 = W/(SL*UG2)). Linear models and two-way ANCOVA tests showed significant differences of the BCIs among sexes and locations. Although our three BCIs are suitable for Antillean manatees, BCI1 is more practical as it does not require information about weight, which can be a metric logistically difficult to collect under particular circumstances. BCI1 was significantly different among environments, revealing that the phenotypic plasticity of the subspecies have originated at least two ecotypes-coastal marine and riverine-of Antillean manatees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D N Castelblanco-Martínez
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico city, Mexico. .,Universidad de Quintana Roo, Chetumal, Mexico. .,Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico.
| | - D H Slone
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - S S Landeo-Yauri
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - E A Ramos
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - A Alvarez-Alemán
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA.,Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de la Habana, Havana, Cuba
| | - F L N Attademo
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - C A Beck
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA.,Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - R K Bonde
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - S M Butler
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - L J Cabrias-Contreras
- Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | | | - J Galves
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | | | | | | | - F O Luna
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - J Powell
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - J P Reid
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - G Rieucau
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico.,Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, USA
| | - A A Mignucci-Giannoni
- Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.,Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Bassetterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Calede JJM, Brown A. Sexual dimorphism in cranial shape and size in geomyoid rodents: multivariate and evolutionary perspectives. Curr Zool 2021; 68:469-488. [PMID: 36090141 PMCID: PMC9450181 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Geomyoid rodents provide a great study system for the analysis of sexual dimorphism. They are polygynic and many inhabit harsh arid environments thought to promote sexual dimorphism. In fact, there has been extensive work published on the sexual size dimorphism of individual populations and species within this rodent clade. However, little work has been undertaken to assess the evolutionary patterns and processes associated with this sexual dimorphism. We use multivariate analyses of cranial measurements in a phylogenetic framework to determine the distribution of size and shape dimorphism among geomyoids and test for Rensch’s rule. Our results suggest that sexual dimorphism is more common in geomyids than heteromyids, but it is not in fact universal. There is evidence for variation in sexual dimorphism across populations. Additionally, in many taxa, geographic variation appears to overwhelm existing sexual dimorphism. We find support for the repeated independent evolution of shape and size dimorphism across geomyoid taxa, but we do not find support for an association between size and shape dimorphism. There is no evidence for Rensch’s rule in geomyoids, whether at the superfamily or family level. Together, our findings suggest that there is no single explanation for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in geomyoids and that, instead, it is the product of numerous evolutionary events. Future studies incorporating phylogenetic relationships will be necessary to paint a more complete picture of the evolution of sexual dimorphism in geomyoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J M Calede
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 W. 12th Ave., 300 Aronoff Laboratory, Columbus, OH 43210, USA and
- The Ohio State University at Marion, 1459 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH 43302, USA
| | - Andrew Brown
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 W. 12th Ave., 300 Aronoff Laboratory, Columbus, OH 43210, USA and
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gómez JM, Verdú M, González-Megías A. Killing conspecific adults in mammals. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211080. [PMID: 34284635 PMCID: PMC8292775 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammals kill both conspecific infants and adults. Whereas infanticide has been profusely studied, the killing of non-infants (adulticide) has seldom attracted the attention of researchers. Mammals kill conspecific adults by at least four, non-exclusive reasons: during intrasexual aggression for mating opportunities, to defend valuable resources, to protect their progeny and to prey upon conspecifics. In this study, we test which reason is most likely to explain male and female adulticide in mammals. For this, we recorded the presence of adulticide, the ecological and behavioural traits, and the phylogenetic relationship for more than 1000 species. Adulticide has been recorded in over 350 species from the most important Mammalian clades. Male adulticide was phylogenetically correlated with the presence of size dimorphism and intrasexually selected weapons. Female adulticide was phylogenetically associated with the occurrence of infanticide. These results indicate that the evolutionary pathways underlying the evolution of adulticide differ between sexes in mammals. Whereas males commit adulticide to increase breeding opportunities and to compete with other males for mating, females commit adulticide mainly to defend offspring from infanticidal conspecifics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José María Gómez
- Dpto de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 0-4120 Almería, Spain
| | - Miguel Verdú
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC-UV-GV), Ctra Moncada-Náquera km 4.5, 46113 Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Adela González-Megías
- Dpto de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cooper EB, Bonnet T, Osmond HL, Cockburn A, Kruuk LEB. Aging and Senescence across Reproductive Traits and Survival in Superb Fairy-Wrens ( Malurus cyaneus). Am Nat 2020; 197:111-127. [PMID: 33417527 DOI: 10.1086/711755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWhy do senescence rates of fitness-related traits often vary dramatically? By considering the full aging trajectories of multiple traits, we can better understand how a species' life history shapes the evolution of senescence within a population. Here, we examined age-related changes in sex-specific survival, reproduction, and several components of reproduction using a long-term study of a cooperatively breeding songbird, the superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus). We compared aging patterns between traits by estimating standardized rates of maturation, age of onset of senescence, and rates of senescence while controlling for confounding factors reflecting individual variability in life history. We found striking differences in aging and senescence patterns between survival and reproduction as well as between reproductive traits. In both sexes, survival started to decline from maturity onward. In contrast, all reproductive traits showed improvements into early adulthood, and many showed little or no evidence of senescence. In females, despite senescence in clutch size, number of offspring surviving to independence did not decline in late life, possibly due to improvements in maternal care with age. Superb fairy-wrens have exceptionally high levels of extragroup paternity, and while male within-group reproductive success did not change with age, extragroup reproductive success showed a dramatic increase in early ages, followed by a senescent decline, suggesting that male reproductive aging is driven by sexual selection. We discuss how the superb fairy-wrens' complex life history may contribute to the disparate aging patterns across different traits.
Collapse
|
16
|
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo H. Cassini
- Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento IBYME CONICET Obligado 2490 Buenos Aires1429Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Jones KA, Wood H, Ashburner JP, Forcada J, Ratcliffe N, Votier SC, Staniland IJ. Risk exposure trade-offs in the ontogeny of sexual segregation in Antarctic fur seal pups. Behav Ecol 2020; 31:719-730. [PMID: 32595270 PMCID: PMC7303822 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual segregation has important ecological implications, but its initial development in early life stages is poorly understood. We investigated the roles of size dimorphism, social behavior, and predation risk on the ontogeny of sexual segregation in Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella, pups at South Georgia. Beaches and water provide opportunities for pup social interaction and learning (through play and swimming) but increased risk of injury and death (from other seals, predatory birds, and harsh weather), whereas tussock grass provides shelter from these risks but less developmental opportunities. One hundred pups were sexed and weighed, 50 on the beach and 50 in tussock grass, in January, February, and March annually from 1989 to 2018. Additionally, 19 male and 16 female pups were GPS-tracked during lactation from December 2012. Analysis of pup counts and habitat use of GPS-tracked pups suggested that females had a slightly higher association with tussock grass habitats and males with beach habitats. GPS-tracked pups traveled progressively further at sea as they developed, and males traveled further than females toward the end of lactation. These sex differences may reflect contrasting drivers of pup behavior: males being more risk prone to gain social skills and lean muscle mass and females being more risk averse to improve chances of survival, ultimately driven by their different reproductive roles. We conclude that sex differences in habitat use can develop in a highly polygynous species prior to the onset of major sexual size dimorphism, which hints that these sex differences will increasingly diverge in later life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh A Jones
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Hannah Wood
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan P Ashburner
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jaume Forcada
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Norman Ratcliffe
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen C Votier
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Iain J Staniland
- Ecosystems Team, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley road, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo H. Cassini
- Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento IBYME‐CONICET Obligado 25901429Buenos Aires Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism is biased toward males in most mammalian species. The most common explanation is precopulatory intramale sexual selection. Large males win fights and mate more frequently. In artiodactyls, previous tests of this hypothesis consisted of interspecific correlations of sexual dimorphism with group size as a surrogate for the intensity of sexual selection (Is). However, group size is not a proper measure of sexual selection for several reasons as is largely recognized in other mammalian taxa. I conducted an interspecific test on the role of sexual selection in the evolution of sexual dimorphism using the variance in genetic paternity as a proxy for the Is. I reviewed the literature and found 17 studies that allowed estimating Is= V/(W2), where V and W are the variance and mean number of offspring per male, respectively. A phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis indicated that dimorphism (Wm/Wf) showed a significant positive regression with the intensity of sexual selection but not group size (multiple r2= 0.40; F3,17= 12.78, P = 0.002). This result suggests that sexual selection may have played a role in the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in Artiodactyla. An alternative hypothesis based on natural selection is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo H Cassini
- Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, IBYME, CONICET, Obligado, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|