scholarly journals The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissah Rowe ◽  
Liisa Veerus ◽  
Pål Trosvik ◽  
Angus Buckling ◽  
Tommaso Pizzari
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Mating Systems

scholarly journals The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Melissah Rowe ◽  
Liisa Veerus ◽  
Pål Trosvik ◽  
Angus Buckling ◽  
Tommaso Pizzari
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Mating Systems

Reproductive behavior

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Olzer ◽  
Rebecca L. Ehrlich ◽  
Justa L. Heinen-Kay ◽  
Jessie Tanner ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Female Choice ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Insect Behavior ◽  
Sequential Approach ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Males And Females

Sex and reproduction lie at the heart of studies of insect behavior. We begin by providing a brief overview of insect anatomy and physiology, followed by an introduction to the overarching themes of parental investment, sexual selection, and mating systems. We then take a sequential approach to illustrate the diversity of phenomena and concepts behind insect reproductive behavior from pre-copulatory mate signalling through copulatory sperm transfer, mating positions, and sexual conflict, to post-copulatory sperm competition, and cryptic female choice. We provide an overview of the evolutionary mechanisms driving reproductive behavior. These events are linked by the economic defendability of mates or resources, and how these are allocated in each sex. Under the framework of economic defendability, the reader can better understand how sexual antagonistic behaviors arise as the result of competing optimal fitness strategies between males and females.

scholarly journals Endless forms of sexual selection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willow R Lindsay ◽  
Staffan Andersson ◽  
Badreddine Bererhi ◽  
Jacob Höglund ◽  
Arild Johnsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Population Divergence ◽  
Trait Evolution ◽  
Mating Competition ◽  
Mhc Genes

The field of sexual selection has burgeoned with research into trait evolution in the context of ecology, sociality, phylogeny, natural selection, and sexual conflict. This paper is the product of a “stock-taking” workshop; our aim is to stimulate discussion, not to provide an exhaustive review. We identify outstanding questions organized into four thematic sections. 1) Evolution of mate choice and mating systems. Variation in mate quality can generate mating competition and choice in either sex with implications for the evolution of mating systems. Limitations on mate choice may dictate the importance of direct vs. indirect benefits in mating decisions and consequently, mating systems. Specifically, polyandry evolves in response to the strength of pre- vs. post-copulatory selection. The evolution of polyandry may be related to diversity of pathogens and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes. MHC genes are also potential cues of kinship in avoidance of inbreeding. The balance between inbreeding avoidance and inclusive fitness in mating decisions deserves greater attention. 2) Sender and receiver mechanisms shaping signal design. Mediation of honest signal content likely depends on integration of temporally variable social and physiological costs that are a challenge to measure. The neuroethology of sensory and cognitive receiver biases is the main key to signal form and the ‘aesthetic sense’ proposed by Darwin. Since a receiver bias is sufficient to both start and drive ornament or armament exaggeration, without a genetically correlated or even coevolving receiver, this may be the appropriate ‘null model’ of sexual selection. 3) Genetic architecture of sexual selection. Despite advances in modern molecular techniques, the number and identity of genes underlying performance remain largely unknown. A combination of genomic techniques and long-term field studies that reveal ecological correlates of reproductive success is warranted. In-depth investigations into the genetic basis of sexual dimorphism will reveal constraints and trajectories of sexually selected trait evolution. 4) Sexual selection and conflict as drivers of speciation. Population divergence and speciation is often driven by an interplay between sexual and natural selection. To what extent sexual selection promotes or counteracts population divergence may differ depending on the genetic architecture of traits as well as covariance between mating competition and local adaptation, if traits have multiple functions and if sensory systems used in mate choice are locally adapted. Also, post-copulatory processes, e.g. selection against heterospecific sperm, may influence the importance of sexual selection. Sexual conflict can shape speciation processes, since mate choice selection on females can restrict gene flow whereas selection on males is permissive. We propose that efforts to resolve these four themes can catalyze conceptual progress in the field of sexual selection.

Sexual selection affects the evolution of contact pheromones in Drosophila melanogaster populations isolated by differential sexual conflict

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochishnu Dutta ◽  
Tejinder Singh Chechi ◽  
N. G. Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Population Differentiation ◽  
Lipid Profiles ◽  
Mate Preference ◽  
Cuticular Lipid ◽  
Antagonistic Coevolution ◽  
Sexually Antagonistic Coevolution

Abstract Background: The ability of sexual conflict to facilitate reproductive isolation is widely anticipated. However, very few experimental evolutionary studies have convincingly demonstrated the evolution of reproductive isolation due to sexual conflict. Recently a study on the replicates of Drosophila melanogaster populations under differential sexual conflict found that divergent mate preference evolved among replicates under high sexual conflict regime. The precopulatory isolating mechanism underlying such divergent mate preference could be sexual signals such as cuticular lipids since they evolve rapidly and are involved in D. melanogaster mate recognition. Using Drosophila melanogaster replicates used in the previous study, we investigate whether cuticular lipid divergence bears signatures of sexually antagonistic coevolution that led to reproductive isolation among replicates of high sexual conflict regime. Results: We found that their cuticular lipid profiles are sexually dimorphic. Although replicates with male biased sex ratio evolved isolation in reproductive traits due to high sexual conflict, the patterns of cuticular lipid divergence in high and low sexual conflict regimes suggest that sexual selection is the dominant selection pressure rather than sexual conflict affecting the cuticular lipid profile. We also find cuticular lipid divergence patterns to be suggestive of the Buridan’s Ass regime which is one of the six possible mechanism to resolve sexual conflict. Conclusions: Although reproductive isolation due to sexual conflict is anticipated, evolution of a sexually selected trait under sexual conflict may not lead to population differentiation in expected lines. This is because speciation due to sexually antagonistic coevolution is only one of the several outcomes of sexual conflict. This study indicates that population differentiation as a result of cuticular lipid divergence cannot be credited to sexual conflict despite high sexual conflict regime evolving divergent cuticular lipid profiles.

Sexual Selection: A Very Short Introduction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene Zuk ◽  
Leigh W. Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Selection Theory ◽  
Sexual Selection Theory ◽  
History Of ◽  
Animal World

Sexual Selection: A Very Short Introduction introduces the astounding array of behaviours and decorative traits in the animal world used for competing for mates, and considers the evolutionary logic that underpins them. It also looks at the history of our understanding of sexual selection, from Darwin’s key insights to the modern day. Considering the investment animals place on reproduction, variation in mating systems, sexual conflict, and the origin of sexual dimorphism, it discusses questions such as whether females can really choose between males on aesthetic grounds, and how sexual conflict is resolved in different species. It concludes with a consideration of the thorny question of how, and even if, sexual selection theory applies to humans.

scholarly journals Polyandry and sex-specific gene expression

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1613) ◽  
pp. 20120047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith E. Mank ◽  
Nina Wedell ◽  
David J. Hosken
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Sequence Evolution ◽  
Specific Gene Expression ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

Polyandry is widespread in nature, and has important evolutionary consequences for the evolution of sexual dimorphism and sexual conflict. Although many of the phenotypic consequences of polyandry have been elucidated, our understanding of the impacts of polyandry and mating systems on the genome is in its infancy. Polyandry can intensify selection on sexual characters and generate more intense sexual conflict. This has consequences for sequence evolution, but also for sex-biased gene expression, which acts as a link between mating systems, sex-specific selection and the evolution of sexual dimorphism. We discuss this and the remarkable confluence of sexual-conflict theory and patterns of gene expression, while also making predictions about transcription patterns, mating systems and sexual conflict. Gene expression is a key link in the genotype–phenotype chain, and although in its early stages, understanding the sexual selection–transcription relationship will provide significant insights into this critical association.

scholarly journals Does reproductive isolation evolve faster in larger populations via sexually antagonistic coevolution?

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gay ◽  
P.E. Eady ◽  
R. Vasudev ◽  
D.J. Hosken ◽  
T. Tregenza
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Callosobruchus Maculatus ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Antagonistic Coevolution ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Sexually Antagonistic Coevolution

Sexual conflict over reproductive investment can lead to sexually antagonistic coevolution and reproductive isolation. It has been suggested that, unlike most models of allopatric speciation, the evolution of reproductive isolation through sexually antagonistic coevolution will occur faster in large populations as these harbour greater levels of standing genetic variation, receive larger numbers of mutations and experience more intense sexual selection. We tested this in bruchid beetle populations ( Callosobruchus maculatus ) by manipulating population size and standing genetic variability in replicated lines derived from founders that had been released from sexual conflict for 90 generations. We found that after 19 generations of reintroduced sexual conflict, none of our treatments had evolved significant overall reproductive isolation among replicate lines. However, as predicted, measures of reproductive isolation tended to be greater among larger populations. We discuss our methodology, arguing that reproductive isolation is best examined by performing a matrix of allopatric and sympatric crosses whereas measurement of divergence requires crosses with a tester line.

scholarly journals Gamete-mediated mate choice: towards a more inclusive view of sexual selection

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1883) ◽  
pp. 20180836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka Kekäläinen ◽  
Jonathan P. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Female Choice ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Random Interactions ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
The Everyday

‘Sperm competition’—where ejaculates from two or more males compete for fertilization—and ‘cryptic female choice’—where females bias this contest to suit their reproductive interests—are now part of the everyday lexicon of sexual selection. Yet the physiological processes that underlie these post-ejaculatory episodes of sexual selection remain largely enigmatic. In this review, we focus on a range of post-ejaculatory cellular- and molecular-level processes, known to be fundamental for fertilization across most (if not all) sexually reproducing species, and point to their putative role in facilitating sexual selection at the level of the cells and gametes, called ‘gamete-mediated mate choice’ (GMMC). In this way, we collate accumulated evidence for GMMC across different mating systems, and emphasize the evolutionary significance of such non-random interactions among gametes. Our overall aim in this review is to build a more inclusive view of sexual selection by showing that mate choice often acts in more nuanced ways than has traditionally been assumed. We also aim to bridge the conceptual divide between proximal mechanisms of reproduction, and adaptive explanations for patterns of non-random sperm–egg interactions that are emerging across an increasingly diverse array of taxa.

Sexual conflict and the evolution of mating systems

1997 ◽  
pp. 352-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Brown ◽  
Bernard J. Crespi ◽  
Jae C. Choe
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Mating Systems
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