Sexual dimorphism in trait variability and its eco-evolutionary and statistical implications.

ELife
Susanne R.K. ZajitschekShinichi Nakagawa

Abstract

Biomedical and clinical sciences are experiencing a renewed interest in the fact that males and females differ in many anatomic, physiological, and behavioural traits. Sex differences in trait variability, however, are yet to receive similar recognition. In medical science, mammalian females are assumed to have higher trait variability due to estrous cycles (the 'estrus-mediated variability hypothesis'); historically in biomedical research, females have been excluded for this reason. Contrastingly, evolutionary theory and associated data support the 'greater male variability hypothesis'. Here, we test these competing hypotheses in 218 traits measured in >26,900 mice, using meta-analysis methods. Neither hypothesis could universally explain patterns in trait variability. Sex bias in variability was trait-dependent. While greater male variability was found in morphological traits, females were much more variable in immunological traits. Sex-specific variability has eco-evolutionary ramifications, including sex-dependent responses to climate change, as well as statistical implications including power analysis considering sex difference in variance.

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Citations

Mar 28, 2021·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Marco MilellaAndrea Cardini
May 14, 2021·ELife·Sara Hägg, Juulia Jylhävä
Jun 18, 2021·Evolution Letters·Lorcan CarnegieM Florencia Camus
Aug 24, 2021·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·João Paulo Cavalcanti-de-Albuquerque, José Donato
Oct 15, 2021·Development·Judith E Mank, Elizabeth J Rideout
Oct 9, 2021·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Merry L LindseyZamaneh Kassiri
Nov 24, 2021·Obesity Reviews : an Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·Thomas D ClarkAlistair M Senior

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Software Mentioned

R
R package
ShinyApp
metafor
R package robumeta
IMPC
R Development Core Team
R package metafor

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