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opencc-zeroNov 2023View details →

Low but significant evolutionary potential for growth, phenology and reproduction traits in European beech

Local survival of forest tree populations under climate change depends on existing genetic variation and their adaptability to changing environments. Responses to selection were studied in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) under field conditions. A total of 1,087 adult trees, seeds, one-year-old seedlings, and established multiyear saplings were genotyped with 16 nuSSRs. Adult trees were assessed for phenotypic traits related to growth, phenology and reproduction. Parentage and paternity analyses were used to estimate effective female and male fecundity as a proxy of fitness and showed that few parents contributed to successful regeneration. Selection gradients were estimated from the relationship between traits and fecundity, while heritability and evolvability were estimated using mixed models and the breeder's equation. Larger trees bearing more fruit and early male flowering had higher total fecundity, while trees with longer growth season had lower total fecundity (directional selection). Stabilising selection on spring phenology was found for female fecundity, highlighting the role of late frosts as a selection driver. Selection gradients for other traits varied between measurement years and the offspring cohort used to estimate parental fecundity. Compared to other studies in natural populations, we found low to moderate heritability and evolvability for most traits. Response to selection was higher for growth than for budburst, leaf senescence or reproduction traits, reflecting more consistent selection gradients across years and sex functions, and higher phenotypic variability in the population. Our study provides empirical evidence suggesting that populations of long-lived organisms such as forest trees can adapt locally, even at short-time scales.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Macroclimatic and maternal effects on the evolution of reproductive traits in lizards

Much of life-history theory rests on fundamental assumptions about constraints on the acquisition and allocation of energy to growth and reproduction. In general, the allocation of energy to reproduction depends on maternal size, which in turn depends on environmental factors experienced throughout the life of the mother. Here, we used phylogenetic path analyses to evaluate competing hypotheses about the environmental and maternal drivers of reproductive traits in lizards. In doing so, we discovered that precipitation, rather than temperature, has shaped the evolution of the life history. Specifically, environments with greater rainfall have enabled the evolution of larger maternal size. In turn, these larger mothers produce larger clutches of larger offspring. However, annual precipitation has a negative direct effect on offspring size, despite the positive indirect effect mediated by maternal size. Possibly, the evolution of offspring size was driven by the need to conserve water in dry environments, because small organisms are particularly sensitive to water loss. Since we found that body size variation among lizards is related to a combination of climatic factors, mainly precipitation and perhaps primary production, our study challenges previous generalizations (e.g., temperature-size rule and Bergmann's rule) and suggests alternative mechanisms underlying the evolution of body size.

opencc-by-4.0Apr 2022View details →

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF GENES FOR REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN PIGS: FROM GWAS TO POST-GWAS

Reproductive traits, such as number of teats, uniformity and litter size, are essential for animal breeding programs due to the importance for the production chain, since they influence the maternal ability of sow and can affect the number of weaned piglets. Our objective was to identify candidate genes associated with reproductive traits in pigs, using GWAS data, from a systematic review combined with sequencing data, to build networks of biological processes and Gene-TFs (transcription factors networks from the identified genes in order to highlight the most candidate genes for litter size, uniformity and number of teats. In the systematic review only peer-reviewed articles were used, with descriptors related to the evaluated traits, and selected based on eligibility criteria. Fourteen papers were selected and classified into groups for functional analysis of gene networks with 2077 candidate genes identified. After combining with the list of genes presenting known structural variants in the 5'UTR and/or coding region, 306 genes remained to be used to build the networks of biological processes and TFs gene networks, highlighting processes associated with litter size (e.g., ionotropic glutamate receptor signaling pathway and blastocyte growth) and teats number (e.g., growth hormone receptor, regulation of the BMP - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins signaling pathway and blood vessel proliferation). Three most candidate genes for litter size trait (GRID2and PALB2) and six most candidate genes (GHR, IFT80, FSTL3, SKOR1, SMURF1 and AKT3) for teats number were prioritized. TF associated with candidate genes were also identified for litter size (PALB2 and GRID2) and teat number (RIN, LTBP2 and COL6A6). Thus, it is suggested that the genes and TFs presented in this study may play an important role in the traits studied, being important for genetic studies and animal breeding. The highlighted genes may bring new considerations to the current knowledge of the genetic architecture of these traits, since the markers associated with these genes can be assigned higher weights in genomic selection and validated in specific populations.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

The expression of demographic costs of reproduction varies among coexisting plants with different life history traits

1. Demographic costs of reproduction in flowering plants should depend on life history and reproductive effort, but how the expression of costs varies with life history traits is poorly understood. 2. We experimentally increased and reduced reproductive effort (fruit production) to quantify demographic costs of reproduction in four coexisting species with contrasting growth forms (clonal vs. nonclonal) and flower production (single- vs. multi-flowered). We repeated the experiment in three years, and measured demographic rates the year after treatment. In two years, we also quantified costs of flower maintenance by contrasting the performance of nonfruiting plants with intact flowers and plants with their flowers removed. 3. Costs varied among species, in both magnitude and demographic rate affected. Costs of natural reproduction were expressed as reductions in size and fecundity next year, whereas increased reproduction additionally reduced sprouting probability. The magnitude of demographic costs of both reproduction and flower maintenance was highest in the nonclonal, multi-flowered species, and costs were more frequently detected in the two multi-flowered species than in the single-flowered ones. This may be explained by higher biomass allocation to reproductive parts and a longer flowering period in the former. Demographic costs of reproduction did not depend on clone size. 4. These results document that demographic costs vary among coexisting species sharing similar niches, and are associated with divergence in life history traits. Such trait-dependent variation in costs may reduce competition among coexisting species and facilitate diversity.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Influence of water limitation and provenance on reproductive traits in a common garden of Frangula alnus

Files <ul> <li>zenodofalnusmotherplants.xlsx: data from mother plants from which berries were picked in 2020</li> <li>zenodofalnusberrystone.xlsx: details on the berries and stones</li> </ul> Abstract of related paper Drought periods during the growing season will increase and intensify in Western Europe due to climate change. To better understand the consequences for woody perennials, we restricted watering of potted cuttings of Frangula alnus Mill. in a common garden setting in Belgium during the growing season of 2020. We focused on the responses of three provenances (Belgian, Italian and Swedish) for several reproductive traits in the year of the water limitation. F. alnus can blossom on current season's growth and can therefore produce ripened berries continuously during several months. The total berry count over the whole growing season was much lower in the water-limited plants, independent of the provenance. The Belgian provenance produced more ripened berries in total than the Italian and Swedish provenances, both in the water-limited as in the control plants. Maximum berry production occurred in July. The control plants from the Belgian and Italian provenances displayed a second lower maximum in August. Mainly the Swedish provenance displayed a clear advancement of the maximum berry production among the water limited plants in comparison to the control plants. Slight differences were detected in the average stone count per berry and in the average stone weight over time, with both traits displaying a single maximum. The Swedish provenance displayed the highest average stone count per berry and the Belgian provenance had the lightest average stone weight, both likely attributable to local adaptation. Remarkably, both stone traits were not affected by the water limitation. Results are discussed in the face of several drought response mechanisms including drought escape, drought avoidance, compensation growth, growth/reproduction trade-off and seed size/weight trade-off.

opencc-zeroSep 2022View details →

Avoiding growing pains in reproductive trait databases: the curse of dimensionality

Aim: Reproductive output features prominently in many trait databases, but the metrics describing it vary and are often untethered to temporal- and volumetric-dimensions (e.g., fecundity-per-bout). Using such ambiguous reproductive measures to make broadscale comparisons across taxonomic groups will only be meaningful if they show a 1:1 relationship with a reproductive measure that explicitly includes both a volumetric and temporal component (i.e., reproductive mass-per-year). We sought to map the prevalence of ambiguous and explicit reproductive measures across taxa, and explore their relationships with one another to determine the cross-compatibility and utility of reproductive metrics in trait databases. Location: Global. Time period: 1990-2021. Major taxa studied: We searched for reproductive measures across all Metazoa, and identified 19,785 Chordata species, along with 440 species of Arthropoda, Cnidaria, or Mollusca. Methods: We included 37 databases from which we summarised the commonality of reproductive metrics across taxonomic groups. We also quantified scaling relationships between ambiguous reproductive traits (fecundity-per-bout, fecundity-per-year and reproductive mass-per-bout) and an explicit measure (reproductive mass per-year) to assess their cross-compatibility. Results: Most species were missing at least one temporal or volumetric dimension of reproductive output, such that reproductive mass-per-year could be reconstructed for only 4,786 vertebrate species. Ambiguous reproductive measures were poor predictors of reproductive mass-per-year – in no instance did these measures scale at 1:1. Main Conclusions: Ambiguous measures systematically misestimate reproductive mass-per-year. Until more data are collected, we suggest authors use the clade-specific scaling relationships provided here to convert ambiguous reproductive measures to reproductive mass-per-year.

opencc-zeroDec 2023View details →

Genome-wide association study identifies genomic regions associated with key reproductive traits in Korean Hanwoo cows

Background Conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, including age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), gestation length (GL), and number of artificial inseminations per conception (NAIPC), is of paramount significance. These analyses provided a thorough exploration of the genetic basis of these traits, facilitating the identification of key markers for targeted trait improvement. Breeders can optimize their selection strategies, leading to more efficient and sustainable breeding programs, by incorporating genetic insights. This impact extends beyond individual traits and contributes to the overall productivity and profitability of the Hanwoo beef cattle industry. Ultimately, GWAS is essential in ensuring the long-term genetic resilience and adaptability of Hanwoo cattle populations. The primary goal of this study was to identify significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the studied reproductive traits and subsequently map the underlying genes that hold promise for trait improvement. Results A genome-wide association study of reproductive traits identified 68 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed across 29 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA). Among them, BTA14 exhibited the highest number of identified SNPs (25), whereas BTA6, BTA7, BTA8, BTA10, BTA13, BTA17, and BTA20 exhibited 8, 5, 5, 3, 8, 2, and 12 significant SNPs, respectively. Annotation of candidate genes within a 500 kb region surrounding the significant SNPs led to the identification of ten candidate genes relevant to age at first calving. These genes were: FANCG, UNC13B, TESK1, TLN1, and CREB3 on BTA8; FAM110B, UBXN2B, SDCBP, and TOX on BTA14; and MAP3K1 on BTA20. Additionally, APBA3, TCF12, and ZFR2, located on BTA7 and BTA10, were associated with the calving interval; PAX1, SGCD, and HAND1, located on BTA7 and BTA13, were linked to gestation length; and RBM47, UBE2K, and GPX8, located on BTA6 and BTA20, were linked to the number of artificial inseminations per conception in Hanwoo cows. Conclusions The findings of this study enhance our knowledge of the genetic factors that influence reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle populations and provide a foundation for future breeding strategies focused on improving desirable traits in beef cattle. This research offers new evidence and insights into the genetic variants and genome regions associated with reproductive traits and contributes valuable information to guide future efforts in cattle breeding.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2022View details →

Table 2 in Effects of different combinations of N, P and K at different time interval on vegetative, reproductive, yield and quality traits of mango (Mangifera Indica. L) cv. Dusehri

Table 2. Effect of different fertilizer combinations of N, P and K on reproductive physiology of mango cv. Dusehri.<table><tbody><tr><th>Treatments</th><th>Growth size (mm)</th><th>Total No. of Panicle/Tree</th><th>Total no. of flowers / Panicle</th><th>Sex Ratio (%)</th><th>Fruit Drop (%)</th><th>Fruit Retention (%)</th><th>Total no. of fruit/tree</th><th>Yield (Kg/Tree)</th><th>Fruit Length (cm)</th><th>Fruit Weight (g)</th><th>Pulp Weight (g)</th><th>Stone Weight (g)</th><th>Peel Weight (g)</th><th>TSS (%)</th><th>Total Acidity (%)</th><th>TSS/Acid Ratio</th><th>Vit. C (mg/100 mL)</th><th>Total Sugar (%)</th></tr></tbody><tbody><tr><th>T1 (Control)</th><td>149.34d ± 3.89</td><td>397.67h ± 3.51</td><td>543.21h ± 3.61</td><td>51.17c ± 2.10</td><td>94.85a ± 1.40</td><td>1.83e ± 0.15</td><td>186.72g ± 4.51</td><td>40.01e ± 4.51</td><td>15.4b ± 3.17</td><td>155.15e ± 6.34</td><td>76.30g ± 2.22</td><td>24.14f ± 2.02</td><td>28.61f ± 1.86</td><td>20.29d ± 1.05</td><td>0.52a ± 0.005</td><td>22.43</td><td>31.26f ± 0.92</td><td>14.52c ± 0.25</td></tr><tr><th>T2 (N)</th><td>166.67b ± 4.47</td><td>508.57f ± 4.51</td><td>612.47f ± 4.58</td><td>54.42bc ± 1.05</td><td>94.86a ± 2.41</td><td>5.57d ± 0.57</td><td>213.34f ± 3.06</td><td>52.70cd ± 4.50</td><td>16.4b ± 3.11</td><td>175.50bc ± 5.50</td><td>82.41f ±1.90</td><td>30.04de ± 2.21</td><td>33.70e ± 1.38</td><td>21.06cd ± 0.95</td><td>0.49b ± 0.004</td><td>25.16</td><td>42.22c ± 1.18</td><td>15.24bc ± 0.41</td></tr><tr><th>T3 (P)</th><td>156.26cd ± 4.85</td><td>467.33g ± 4.04</td><td>593.34g ± 3.61</td><td>53.57bc ± 1.01</td><td>91.72ab± 2.51</td><td>8.82bc ± 0.72</td><td>241.40e ± 4.04</td><td>50.14d ± 5.03</td><td>18.3ab ± 2.75</td><td>169.24cd ± 5.41</td><td>85.23f ± 1.96</td><td>28.50e ± 2.00</td><td>35.62de ±1.94</td><td>22.07bc ± 1.10</td><td>0.45c ± 0.005</td><td>29.13</td><td>39.37d ± 0.98</td><td>15.82bc ± 0.29</td></tr><tr><th>T4 (K)</th><td>164.80bc ± 4.95</td><td>634.57c ± 4.51</td><td>730.19c ± 4.56</td><td>57.39bc ± 2.38</td><td>94.26ab ± 1.79</td><td>5.83d ± 0.48</td><td>278.33d ± 3.51</td><td>55.23cd ± 4.50</td><td>19.3ab ± 2.99</td><td>182.01b ± 5.47</td><td>99.92e ± 1.89</td><td>31.26e ± 1.76</td><td>40.84c ± 1.35</td><td>21.41cd ± 1.25</td><td>0.37d ± 0.002</td><td>43.27</td><td>36.62e ± 1.21</td><td>16.89b ± 0.55</td></tr><tr><th>T5 (NP)</th><td>166.48b ± 4.98</td><td>584.47d ± 3.51</td><td>639e.46 ± 4.04</td><td>56.61bc ± 1.59</td><td>93.34ab ± 2.15</td><td>6.92cd ± 0.33</td><td>288.62c ± 4.51</td><td>57.31c ± 5.03</td><td>17.2b ± 3.29</td><td>160.46de ±4.86</td><td>107.34c ± 2.11</td><td>35.63bc ± 2.02</td><td>37.81d ± 1.88</td><td>23.43ab ± 0.93</td><td>0.35d ± 0.001</td><td>40.48</td><td>42.09b ± 0.47</td><td>16.65b ± 0.61</td></tr><tr><th>T6 (NK)</th><td>160.75bc ± 5.05</td><td>684.66b ± 4.50</td><td>810.62b ± 4.59</td><td>60.17b ± 2.53</td><td>90.28cd ± 2.71</td><td>9.74ab ± 0.66</td><td>320.32b ± 3.05</td><td>66.61b ± 4.49</td><td>18.5ab ± 2.73</td><td>180.32b ± 5.35</td><td>118.04b ± 1.94</td><td>37.21b ± 1.81</td><td>46.92b ± 1.65</td><td>23.30ab ± 0.08</td><td>0.32e ± 0.002</td><td>51.28</td><td>51.48b ±1.07</td><td>16.07b ± 0.71</td></tr><tr><th>T7 (PK)</th><td>159.42bc ± 4.98</td><td>559.71e ± 3.49</td><td>701.17d ± 3.61</td><td>55.31bc ± 1.02</td><td>92.96ab ± 2.56</td><td>7.49bcd ± 0.52</td><td>274.37d ± 2.52</td><td>54.85cd ± 4.51</td><td>18.1b ± 3.01</td><td>178.24bc ± 6.53</td><td>103.51d ± 1.79</td><td>33.07cd ± 1.95</td><td>42.14c ± 1.43</td><td>2.35bc ± 0.05</td><td>0.31e ± 0.002</td><td>52.41</td><td>51.55b ± 0.95</td><td>15.01b ± 0.37</td></tr><tr><th>T8 (NPK)</th><td>177.51a ± 4.92</td><td>845.64a ± 3.61</td><td>974.52a ± 4.58</td><td>69.18a ± 2.87</td><td>86.10e ± 2.85</td><td>13.85a ± 0.43</td><td>379.05a ± 3.00</td><td>82.35a ± 3.51</td><td>23.3a ± 3.10</td><td>197.05a ± 5.62</td><td>135.32a ± 2.09</td><td>43.53a ± 2.07</td><td>52.09a ± 1.77</td><td>24.53a ± 0.06</td><td>0.26f ± 0.001</td><td>73.53</td><td>57.63a ± 0.07</td><td>20.48a ± 0.53</td></tr></tbody></table>Values within each column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P <0.5 level.Values within each column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P <0.05 level.Values within each column followed by the same letters are not significantly different at P <0.05 level.

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: Integrating Bayesian genomic cline analyses and association mapping of morphological and ecological traits to dissect reproductive isolation and introgression in a Louisiana Iris hybrid zone

Hybrid zones provide unique opportunities to examine reproductive isolation and introgression in nature. We utilized 45,384 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci to perform association mapping of 14 floral, vegetative, and ecological traits that differ between Iris hexagona and Iris fulva, and to investigate, using a Bayesian Genomic Cline (BGC) framework, patterns of genomic introgression in a large and phenotypically diverse hybrid zone in southern Louisiana. Many loci of small effect-size were consistently found to be associated with phenotypic variation across all traits, and several individual loci were revealed to influence phenotypic variation across multiple traits. Patterns of genomic introgression were quite heterogeneous throughout the Louisiana Iris genome, with I. hexagona alleles tending to be favored over those of I. fulva. Loci that were found to have exceptional patterns of introgression were also found to be significantly associated with phenotypic variation in a small number of morphological traits. However, this was the exception rather than the rule, as most loci that were associated with morphological trait variation were not significantly associated with excess ancestry. These findings provide insights into the complexity of the genomic architecture of phenotypic differences and are a first step towards identifying loci that are associated with both trait variation and reproductive isolation in nature.

opencc-zeroAug 2021View details →

Colorful traits in female birds relate to individual condition, reproductive performance, and male mate preferences: A meta-analytic approach dataset

Colorful traits in females are suggested to have evolved and be maintained by sexual selection. Although several studies have evaluated this idea, support is still equivocal. Evidence has been compiled in reviews, and a handful of quantitative synthesis have explored evidence of the link between condition and specific color traits in males and females. However, understanding the potential function of females' colorful traits in sexual communication has not been the primary focus of any of those previous studies. Here, using a meta-analytic approach, we find that evidence from empirical studies in birds supports the idea that colorful female ornaments are positively associated with residual mass and immune response, clutch size, and male-mate preferences. Hence, colorful traits in female birds likely evolved and are maintained by sexual selection.

FIGURE 4 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 4: Chronological development of egg stage of Carinozetes bermudensis. Egg attached to a grain of sand. Arrow points to egg.

FIGURE 6 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 6: Photographs illustrating "floating behaviour" shown by Fortuynia atlantica; specimens floating with splayed legs on the water surface.

FIGURE 5 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 5: SEM-micrographs of exochorion structures; scale bar of left column 40 µm, scale bar of right column 1 µm. A – Alismobates inexpectatus egg; B – detailed surface view of egg shown in A; C – Fortuynia atlantica egg; D – detailed surface view of egg shown in C; E – Carinozetes bermudensis egg; F – surface details of egg shown in E.

FIGURE 3 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 3: Egg of Fortuynia atlantica, vertical row of pictures illustrating chronological development of egg stage. Arrow points to egg.

FIGURE 2 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 2: Eggs of Alismobates inexpectatus deposited into an algal mass, arrows pointing to eggs. A – left egg shortly before eclosion showing dark colour, right egg freshly deposited with lighter colour; B – algal mass removed from egg; C – larva hatching from egg.

FIGURE 1 in Habitat Use, Feeding And Reproductive Traits Of Rocky-Shore Intertidal Mites From Bermuda (Oribatida: Fortuyniidae And Selenoribatidae)

FIGURE 1: A-C – Spermatophores of Alismobates inexpectatus; A – deposited on lateral wall of plastic box; B – deposited on alga; C – bare stalk of spermatophore shown in B; D-F – spermatophores of Carinozetes bermudensis, D-E – deposited on lateral wall of box; F – bare stalk. Arrows pointing to spermatophores and bare stalks, respectively.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Data from: Reproducing in hot water: experimental heatwaves deteriorate multiple reproductive traits in a freshwater ectotherm

Heatwaves are occurring at an increasing frequency and intensity under ongoing climate change. With many reproductive traits – including mating behaviour and gamete traits– being sensitive even to small stressors, including short temperature changes, the impact of heatwaves on reproduction and sexual selection processes is likely to be vast. Also, understanding whether the sexes may differentially respond to these extreme events is crucial to understand the impact on fecundity and the consequence at the population level. Nonetheless, our knowledge of the effects of heatwaves on these key aspects of an animal life is still limited. Here, we expose recently mated male and female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to an experimental heatwave (32°C, 6°C above the control, for 5 days) to determine its effects on several traits, including sexual behaviour, condition, ornamentation, and fertility. Using this design, in contrast to most other experimental set ups, we had the possibility to attribute the effects of the heatwave to males' and females' reproductive traits independently. Overall, our results indicate that heatwaves can drastically affect key reproductive traits and unravel sex-specific responses. In males, there was no effect of the heatwave on survival, but both pre- and post-copulatory reproductive traits were affected. After the heatwave, we detected a decrease in orange colouration (the most important ornament on which female choice is based) and the overall level of sexual activity, and a shift in the preferred mating tactic towards forced copulation attempts. The latter suggest implications in sexual conflict dynamics, as forced copulations override female mate choice. Also, after the heatwave, males had more sperm but of lower quality, and, in addition, an increased variance in sperm number. Overall, heatwaves may result in a compromised ability to secure mating and fertilization. In females, the heatwave significantly affected survival, with increased mortality in the short term, and impaired fecundity, with many females from the heatwave treatment not reproducing at all. The negative effects of heatwaves on key reproductive traits unravelled by our study could have major implications for population dynamics and persistence. It highlights the need for further studies on these extreme events on reproduction, to improve our understanding of the impacts of climate change.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Divergent selection on behavioural and chemical traits between reproductively isolated populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Speciation is driven by traits that can act to prevent mating between nascent lineages, including male courtship and female preference for male traits. Mating barriers involving these traits evolve quickly because there is strong selection on males and females to maximize reproductive success, and the tight co-evolution of mating interactions can lead to rapid diversification of sexual behavior. Populations of D. melanogaster show strong asymmetrical reproductive isolation that is correlated with geographic origin. Using strains that capture natural variation in mating traits, we ask two key questions: which specific male traits are females selecting, and are these traits under divergent sexual selection? These questions have proven extremely challenging to answer, because even in closely related lineages males often differ in multiple traits related to mating behavior. We address these questions by estimating selection gradients for male courtship and cuticular hydrocarbons for two different female genotypes. We identify specific behaviors and particular cuticular hydrocarbons that are under divergent sexual selection and could potentially contribute to premating reproductive isolation. Additionally, we report that a subset of these traits are plastic; males adjust these traits based on the identity of the female genotype they interact with. These results suggest that even when male courtship is not fixed between lineages, ongoing selection can act on traits that are important for reproductive isolation.

opencc-zeroMar 2023View details →

How does the timing of weapon loss influence reproductive traits and trade-offs in the insect Narnia femorata?

A longstanding goal of evolutionary biology is to understand among-individual variation in resource allocation decisions and the timing of these decisions. Recent studies have shown that investment in elaborate and costly weapons can result in trade-offs with investment in testes. In this study, we ask at what point plasticity in resource allocation to these different structures ceases during development, if at all? Furthermore, can individuals tailor their reproductive behavior to accompany structural changes? We experimentally addressed these questions in the insect Narnia femorata, quantifying resource reallocation across development for the first time, using a phenotypic engineering approach. To investigate whether allocation plasticity diminishes throughout ontogeny, we induced weapon loss at a range of different developmental stages and examined subsequent testes mass and reproductive behavior. We found that relative testes mass increased as weapon investment decreased, implying a direct trade-off between testes and weapon investment. However, autotomy post-adulthood ceased to induce larger testes mass. Intriguingly, losing a weapon while young was associated with extended adult mating duration, potentially enabling compensation for reduced fighting ability. Our results highlight the importance of examining the ontogeny of trade-offs between reproductive traits and the flexibility of the relationship between reproductive morphology and behavior.