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123 results for “sexual conflict”
Data from: Human shields mediate sexual conflict in a top predator
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Sexual conflict does not maintain female colour polymorphism in a territorial damselfly
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Data from: Sexual conflict and interacting phenotypes: a quantitative genetic analysis of fecundity and copula duration in Drosophila melanogaster
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A study of tactical and sexual dimorphism in cognition with insights for sexual conflict
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Data from: Hunting promotes sexual conflict in brown bears
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Data from: Energetics meets sexual conflict: the phenology of hibernation in Tasmanian echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus)
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Data from: Intralocus sexual conflict over wing length in a wild migratory bird
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Data from: Condition dependent mortality exacerbates male (but not female) reproductive senescence and the potential for sexual conflict
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Tests of search image and learning in the wild: insights from sexual conflict in damselflies
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Data from: Multivariate intralocus sexual conflict in seed beetles
Intralocus sexual conflict (IaSC) is pervasive because males and females experience differences in selection but share much of the same genome. Traits with integrated genetic architecture should be reservoirs of sexually antagonistic genetic variation for fitness but explorations of multivariate IaSC are scarce. Previously, we showed that upward artificial selection on male lifespan decreased male fitness but increased female fitness compared with downward selection in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. Here, we use these selection lines to investigate sex-specific evolution of four functionally integrated traits (metabolic rate, locomotor activity, body mass and lifespan) that collectively define a sexually dimorphic life-history syndrome in many species. Male-limited selection for short lifespan led to correlated evolution in females towards a more male-like multivariate phenotype. Conversely, males selected for long lifespan became more female-like, implying that IaSC results from genetic integration of this suite of traits. However, while lifespan, metabolism and body mass showed correlated evolution in the sexes, activity did not evolve in males but, surprisingly, did so in females. This led to sexual monomorphism in locomotor activity in short-life lines, associated with detrimental effects in females. Our results thus support the general tenet that widespread pleiotropy generates IaSC despite sex-specific genetic architecture.
Data from: Transcriptomes of parents identify parenting strategies and sexual conflict in a subsocial beetle
Parenting in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides is complex and, unusually, the sex and number of parents that can be present is flexible. Such flexibility is expected to involve specialized behaviour by the two sexes under biparental conditions. Here, we show that offspring fare equally well regardless of the sex or number of parents present. Comparing transcriptomes, we find a largely overlapping set of differentially expressed genes in both uniparental and biparental females and in uniparental males including vitellogenin, associated with reproduction, and takeout, influencing sex-specific mating and feeding behaviour. Gene expression in biparental males is similar to that in non-caring states. Thus, being 'biparental' in N. vespilloides describes the family social organization rather than the number of directly parenting individuals. There was no specialization; instead, in biparental families, direct male parental care appears to be limited with female behaviour unchanged. This should lead to strong sexual conflict.
Data from: Sexual dimorphism explains residual variance around the survival-reproduction tradeoff in lizards: implications for sexual conflict over life-history evolution
The tradeoff between survival and reproduction is a central feature of life-history variation, but few studies have sought to explain why females of some species exhibit relatively lower survival than expected for a given level of reproductive effort. Intralocus sexual conflict theory proposes that sex differences in selection on survival and reproductive effort may, by virtue of shared genes underlying these components of fitness, prevent females from optimizing this life-history tradeoff. To test this hypothesis, we used a phylogenetically based comparative analysis of published estimates for mean annual survival and reproductive effort from females of 82 lizard species to (1) characterize the tradeoff between survival and reproduction, and (2) test whether variation around this tradeoff is explained by sexual size dimorphism (SSD), a potential proxy for sexual conflict over life-history traits. Across species, we found a strong negative correlation between mean annual survival and reproductive effort, confirming this classic life-history tradeoff. Although residual variance around this tradeoff is unrelated to the absolute magnitude of SSD, it is strongly related to the direction of SSD. Specifically, we found that females have lower survival than expected for a given level of reproductive effort in female-larger species, whereas they have higher survival than expected in male-larger species. Given that female-larger SSD is thought to reflect selection for increased fecundity, our results suggest that intralocus sexual conflict may be particularly likely to constrain female life-history evolution in situations where increased reproductive effort is favored, but the phenotypes that facilitate this increase (e.g., body size) are constrained by antagonistic selection on males.
Data from: Direct benefits of choosing a high fitness mate can offset the indirect costs associated with intralocus sexual conflict
Intralocus sexual conflict generates a cost to mate choice: high fitness partners transmit genetic variation that confers lower fitness to offspring of the opposite sex. Our earlier work in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, revealed that these indirect genetic costs were sufficient to reverse potential "good genes" benefits of sexual selection. However, mate choice can also confer direct fitness benefits by inducing larger numbers of progeny. Here, we consider whether direct benefits through enhanced fertility could offset the costs associated with intralocus sexual conflict in D. melanogaster. Using hemiclonal analysis, we found that females mated to high fitness males produced 11% more offspring compared to those mated to low fitness males, and high fitness females produced 37% more offspring than low fitness females. These direct benefits more than offset the reduction in offspring fitness caused by intralocus sexual conflict, creating a net fitness benefit for each sex to pairing with a high fitness partner. Our findings highlight the need to consider both direct and indirect effects when investigating the fitness impacts of mate choice. Direct fitness benefits may shelter sexually antagonistic alleles from selection, suggesting a novel mechanism for the maintenance of fitness variation.
Data from: Sexual conflict and ecology: species composition and male density interact to reduce male mating harassment and increase female survival
Sexual conflict is a pervasive evolutionary force that can reduce female fitness. Experimental evolution studies in the laboratory might overestimate the importance of sexual conflict since the ecological conditions in such settings typically include only a single species. Here, we experimentally manipulated conspecific male density (high or low) and species composition (sympatric or allopatric) to investigate how ecological conditions affect female survival in a sexually dimorphic insect, the banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens). Female survival was strongly influenced by an interaction between male density and species composition. Specifically, at low conspecific male density, female survival increased in the presence of heterospecific males (C. virgo). Behavioural mating experiments showed that interspecific interference competition reduced conspecific male mating success with large females. These findings suggest that reproductive interference competition between con- and heterospecific males might indirectly facilitate female survival by reducing mating harassment from conspecific males. Hence, interspecific competitors can show contrasting effects on the two sexes thereby influencing sexual conflict dynamics. Our results call for incorporation of more ecological realism in sexual conflict research, particularly how local community context and reproductive interference competition between heterospecific males can affect female fitness.
Data from: Indirect genetic effects and sexual conflicts: Partner genotype influences multiple morphological and behavioural reproductive traits in a flatworm
The expression of an individual's phenotypic traits can be influenced by genes expressed in its social partners. Theoretical models predict that such indirect genetic effects (IGEs) on reproductive traits should play an important role in determining the evolutionary outcome of sexual conflict. However, empirical tests of (i) whether reproductive IGEs exist, (ii) how they vary among genotypes, and (iii) whether they are uniform for different types of reproductive traits are largely lacking. We addressed this in a series of experiments in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano. We found strong evidence for IGEs on both morphological and behavioural reproductive traits. Partner genotype had a significant impact on the testis size of focal individuals—varying up to 2.4-fold—suggesting that IGEs could mediate sexual conflicts that target the male sex function. We also found that time to first copulation was affected by a genotype × genotype interaction between mating partners, and that partner genotype affected the propensity to copulate and perform the postcopulatory suck behaviour, which may mediate conflicts over the fate of received ejaculate components. These findings provide clear empirical evidence for IGEs on multiple behavioural and morphological reproductive traits, which suggests that the evolutionary dynamics of these traits could be altered by genes contained in the social environment.
Data from: Are flies kind to kin? The role of intra- and inter-sexual relatedness in mediating reproductive conflict
As individual success often comes at the expense of others, interactions between the members of a species are frequently antagonistic, especially in the context of reproduction. In theory, this conflict may be reduced in magnitude when kin interact, as cooperative behaviour between relatives can result in increased inclusive fitness. Recent tests of the potential role of cooperative behaviour between brothers in Drosophila melanogaster have proved to be both exciting and controversial. We set out to replicate these experiments, which have profound implications for the study of kin selection and sexual conflict, and to expand upon them by also examining the potential role of kinship between males and females in reproductive interactions. While we did observe reduced fighting and courtship effort between competing brothers, contrary to previous studies we did not detect any fitness benefit to females as a result of the modification of male antagonistic behaviours. Furthermore, we did not observe any differential treatment of females by their brothers, as would be expected if the intensity of sexual conflict was mediated by kin selection. In the light of these results, we propose an alternative explanation for observed differences in male–male conflict and provide preliminary empirical support for this hypothesis.
Data from: Eco-evolutionary dynamics of sexual selection and sexual conflict
1.The research framework of eco‐evolutionary dynamics is increasing in popularity, as revealed by a steady stream of review articles and a recent and influential book, but primary empirical research is lagging behind. Moreover, the few empirical case studies demonstrating eco‐evolutionary dynamics might not be entirely representative. 2.Much current research on eco‐evolutionary dynamics is focused on how ecological interactions lead to natural selection on phenotypic traits ("eco‐evo"), and in turn how the evolutionary change in such traits feed back on ecological dynamics ("evo‐eco"). A key feature of eco‐evolutionary dynamics is thus a feedback loop between ecology (e. g. population dynamics) and evolution (i. e. genetic change). 3.In contrast to previous research on eco‐evolutionary dynamics driven by natural selection, the role of eco‐evolutionary feedbacks in sexual selection and sexual conflict are largely unknown. Here, I review theory and the limited empirical evidence in this area and identify some promising future lines of research. 4.I update a past review on contemporary evolution of secondary sexual traits in natural populations and formulate six explicit and rigorous criteria for contemporary evolution of secondary sexual traits by natural or sexual selection or sexual conflict. I then discuss the other key prediction of eco‐evolutionary dynamics (i. e. evolution by sexual selection or sexual conflict shapes ecological dynamics). My overview reveal that our current knowledge in this area is limited and mainly come from theoretical models and laboratory experiments. 5.A major challenge in eco‐evolutionary dynamics is therefore to link ecological and population dynamics with sexual selection and sexual conflict. This is not an easy task but might be possible with carefully chosen study systems and methods.
Data from: The ecology of sexual conflict: temperature variation in the social environment can drastically modulate male harm to females
1. Sexual conflict is a fundamental driver of male/female adaptations, an engine of biodiversity, and a crucial determinant of population viability. Sexual conflict frequently leads to behavioural adaptations that allow males to displace their rivals, but in doing so harm those same females they are competing to access, which can decrease population viability and facilitate extinction. 2. We are far from understanding what factors modulate the intensity of sexual conflict, and particularly the role of ecology in mediating underlying behavioural adaptations. 3. In this study we show that, in Drosophila melanogaster, variations in environmental temperature of ±4ºC decrease male harm impact on female fitness by between 45-73%. Rate-sensitive fitness estimates indicate that such modulation results in an average rescue of population productivity of 7% at colder temperatures and 23% at hotter temperatures. 4. Our results: a) show that the thermal ecology of social interactions can drastically modulate male harm via behaviourally plasticity, b) identify a potentially crucial ecological factor to understand how sexual conflict operates in nature, and c) along with recent studies, suggest that behaviourally plastic responses can lessen the negative effect of sexual conflict on population viability in the face of rapid environmental temperature changes.
Data from: Sex-differences in nutrient intake can reduce the potential for sexual conflict over fitness maximisation by female and male crickets
As females and males have different roles in reproduction, they are expected to require different nutrients for the expression of reproductive traits. However, due to their shared genome, both sexes may be constrained in the regulation of nutrient intake that maximises sex specific fitness. Here, we used the Geometric Framework for nutrition to examine the effect of macronutrient and micronutrient intakes on lifespan, fecundity, and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that signal mate quality to prospective mates in female field crickets, Teleogryllus oceanicus. In addition, we contrasted nutritional effects on life-history traits between males and females to determine how sex differences influence nutrient regulation. We found that carbohydrate intake maximised female lifespan and protein intake influenced CHC expression, while early life fecundity (cumulative fecundity at Day 21) and lifetime fecundity were dependent on both macronutrient and micronutrient intakes. Fecundity required different nutrient blends to those required to optimise sperm viability in males, generating the potential for sexual conflict over macronutrient intake. The regulation of protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) intakes by virgin and mated females initially matched that of males, but females adjusted their intake to a higher P:C ratio, 1P:2C, that maximised fecundity as they aged. This suggests that a sex-specific, age-dependent change in intake target for sexually mature females, regardless of their mating status, adjusts protein consumption in preparation for oviposition. Sex differences in the regulation of nutrient intake to optimise critical reproductive traits in female and male T. oceanicus, provides an example of how sexual conflict over nutrition can shape differences in foraging between the sexes.
Data from: Release from intralocus sexual conflict? Evolved loss of a male sexual trait demasculinises female gene expression
The loss of sexual ornaments is observed across taxa, and pleiotropic effects of such losses provide an opportunity to gain insight into underlying dynamics of sex-biased gene expression and intralocus sexual conflict (IASC). We investigated this in a Hawaiian field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, in which an X-linked genotype (flatwing) feminises males' wings and eliminates their ability to produce sexually selected songs. We profiled adult gene expression across somatic and reproductive tissues of both sexes. Despite the feminising effect of flatwing on male wings, we found no evidence of feminised gene expression in males. Instead, female transcriptomes were more strongly affected by flatwing than males', and exhibited demasculinised gene expression. These findings are consistent with a relaxation of IASC constraining female gene expression through loss of a male sexual ornament. In a follow-up experiment we found reduced testes mass in flatwing males, whereas female carriers showed no reduction in egg production. In contrast, female carriers exhibited greater measures of body condition. Our results suggest sex-limited phenotypic expression offers only partial resolution to intralocus sexual conflict, owing to pleiotropic effects of the loci involved. Benefits conferred by release from intralocus conflict could help explain widespread loss of sexual ornaments across taxa.
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Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
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DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
DANDI is a BRAIN Initiative archive for publishing and sharing neurophysiology data, including electrophysiology, optophysiology, and behavioral data packaged as NWB and related standards.
International Brain Laboratory public data
The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
OpenNeuro
OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging datasets, with public search, dataset pages, and download paths for web, S3, DataLad, and the OpenNeuro CLI.