Experimental sexual selection affects the evolution of physiological and life-history traits.
J Evol Biol
; 35(5): 742-751, 2022 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35384100
ABSTRACT
Sexual selection and sexual conflict are expected to affect all aspects of the phenotype, not only traits that are directly involved in reproduction. Here, we show coordinated evolution of multiple physiological and life-history traits in response to long-term experimental manipulation of the mating system in populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura. Development time was extended under polyandry relative to monogamy in both sexes, potentially due to higher investment in traits linked to sexual selection and sexual conflict. Individuals (especially males) evolving under polyandry had higher metabolic rates and locomotor activity than those evolving under monogamy. Polyandry individuals also invested more in metabolites associated with increased endurance capacity and efficient energy metabolism and regulation, namely lipids and glycogen. Finally, polyandry males were less desiccation- and starvation resistant than monogamy males, suggesting trade-offs between resistance and sexually selected traits. Our results provide experimental evidence that mating systems can impose selection that influences the evolution of non-sexual phenotypes such as development, activity, metabolism and nutrient homeostasis.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Life History Traits
/
Sexual Selection
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Evol Biol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom