Sex ratio represents a unique context for selection on attractive traits: consequences for the evolution of sexual dimorphism

The American Naturalist
Tia-Lynn Ashman, C Diefenderfer

Abstract

We explored the idea that sex ratio represents a unique context for selection on attractive traits by manipulating sex ratio and pollinator abundance in experimental populations of a gender-dimorphic wild strawberry Fragaria virginiana. We found that increasing the frequency of functional males (the pollen-bearing morph) increased the frequency of pollen-collecting syrphid flies in the pollinator assemblage, decreased pollinator visitation to less preferred morph (females), and decreased the degree of pollen limitation of females. Moreover, sex ratio influenced the strength of selection on petal size through female fitness but did not alter the strength of selection through male fitness components, suggesting that sex ratio can alter the gender bias of selection on an attractive trait. This study of context-dependent selection has important implications for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in attractive traits. First, it suggests that only certain conditions generate male-biased selection and, thus, could lead to selection-driven male-biased petal size dimorphism. Second, it suggests that flexible pollinator foraging may be an important mechanism by which sex ratio influences selection on attractive traits. Finally, it implie...Continue Reading

Citations

May 7, 2002·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Tamara M McGovern
Aug 8, 2009·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Marc O WaeltiFlorian P Schiestl
Feb 10, 2004·The American Naturalist·Diana E Wolf, Naoki Takebayashi
Jul 15, 2003·The American Naturalist·Meaghan Saur Jacobs, Michael J Wade
Oct 15, 2005·The American Naturalist·Tia-Lynn Ashman
Aug 18, 2009·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Christopher G EckertAlice A Winn
Sep 25, 2008·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·C M Caruso, S J Yakobowski
Apr 19, 2008·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Kathryn A Hodgins, Spencer C H Barrett
Aug 9, 2007·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Andrea L Case, Tia-Lynn Ashman
Oct 15, 2013·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·C Dai, L F Galloway
Apr 1, 2015·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·L Ruth RivkinChristina M Caruso
Apr 20, 2016·Plant Biology·J P SinclairG Kudo
Aug 3, 2011·Annals of Botany·Rachel B Spigler, Tia-Lynn Ashman
Mar 10, 2011·Annals of Botany·Sarah B YakimowskiSpencer C H Barrett
Sep 1, 2005·American Journal of Botany·Annette M GolonkaStephen G Weller
May 1, 2005·American Journal of Botany·Tia-Lynn Ashman, Emiley A King
May 26, 2004·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Tia-Lynn Ashman, Martin T Morgan
Jun 14, 2002·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Jana C Vamosi, Sarah P Otto

❮ 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.