A comparative test of a theory for the evolution of anisogamy

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
J P Randerson, L D Hurst

Abstract

Why are sperm small and eggs large? The dominant explanation for the evolution of gamete size dimorphism envisages two opposing selection pressures acting on gamete size: small gametes are favoured because many can be produced, whereas large gametes contribute to a large zygote with consequently increased survival chances. This model predicts disruptive selection on gamete size (i.e. selection for anisogamy) if increases in zygote size confer disproportional increases in fitness (at least over part of its size range). It therefore predicts that increases in adult size should be accompanied by stronger selection for anisogamy. Using data from the green algal order Volvocales, we provide the first phylogenetically controlled test of the model's predictions using a published phylogeny and a new phylogeny derived by a different method. The predictions that larger organisms should (i) have a greater degree of gamete dimorphism and (ii) have larger eggs are broadly upheld. However, the results are highly sensitive to the phylogeny and the mode of analysis used.

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Citations

Dec 24, 2002·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·M G Bulmer, G A Parker
Jun 23, 2004·PLoS Biology·John Whitfield
Oct 18, 2014·Molecular Human Reproduction·Jussi Lehtonen, Geoff A Parker
May 20, 2008·Theoretical Population Biology·Priya Iyer, Joan Roughgarden
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Sep 14, 2016·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Jussi LehtonenGeoff A Parker
Oct 13, 2016·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Kurt B Petersen, Martin Burd
Jan 13, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Jack da Silva
Jul 8, 2009·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Tamás Tófalvy, Hugo Viciana
Mar 10, 2010·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·Debra E IrwinDarren A DeWalt
Jun 1, 2019·Annual Review of Microbiology·James Umen, Susana Coelho
Jun 11, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Jussi Lehtonen, Heikki Helanterä
Jun 8, 2021·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·Svenja HeeschSusana M Coelho

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