Incorporating an ontogenetic perspective into evolutionary theory of sexual size dimorphism

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
Chun-Chia ChouTakefumi Nakazawa

Abstract

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) describes divergent body sizes of adult males and females. While SSD has traditionally been explained by sexual and fecundity selection, recent advances in physiology and developmental biology emphasize that SSD would occur proximately because of sexual differences in ontogenetic growth trajectories (i.e., growth rate and duration). Notably, these ontogenetic traits are subject to energetic or time constraints and thus traded off with fitness components (e.g., survival and reproduction). To elucidate the importance of such ontogenetic trade-offs in the evolution of SSD, we developed a new theoretical framework by extending quantitative genetic models for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in which we reinterpret the trait as body size and reformulate sex-specific fitness in size-dependent manners. More specifically, we assume that higher growth rate or longer growth duration leads to larger body size and higher reproductive success but incurs the cost of lower survivorship or shorter reproduction period. We illustrate how two sexes would optimize ontogenetic growth trajectories in sex-specific ways and exhibit divergent body sizes. The present framework provides new insights into the evolutionary th...Continue Reading

References

Dec 21, 1985·Journal of Theoretical Biology·R Lande, S J Arnold
May 1, 1997·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·M D Jennions, M Petrie
May 16, 1998·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·G G Rosenthal, C S Evans
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Louise S Mead, Stevan J Arnold
Jan 6, 2009·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·John HuntAllen J Moore
Apr 30, 2009·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Patricia L Whitten, Trudy R Turner
Apr 17, 2010·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Caitlin M Dmitriew
Jul 9, 2010·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·R Craig Stillwell, Goggy Davidowitz
Jul 16, 2010·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Yuma TakahashiMamoru Watanabe
Dec 1, 1998·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·A Qvarnström, E Forsgren
Jul 5, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Nalini PuniamoorthyWolf U Blanckenhorn
Apr 5, 2013·PloS One·Nicholas D TestaAlexander W Shingleton
Oct 9, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Samuel J TazzymanAndrew Pomiankowski

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 9, 2017·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·A M MyhreB-E SAEther
Oct 3, 2020·Ecology and Evolution·Maider Iglesias-CarrascoMegan L Head

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.