Countergradient Variation in the Sexual Coloration of Guppies (Poecilia Reticulata): Drosopterin Synthesis Balances Carotenoid Availability

Grether, Gregory F.; Cummings, Molly E.; Hudon, Jocelyn

doi:10.1554/04-351

Cited by 10 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…Population comparisons along this gradient showed that the mean carotenoid content of the orange spots increases asymptotically with algal carotenoid intake [13]. Nevertheless, the ratio of carotenoid and drosopterin pigments remains relatively constant across sites owing to correlated variation in drosopterin production [14]. A common garden experiment showed that interpopulation variation in drosopterin production is largely genetic [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Nevertheless, the ratio of carotenoid and drosopterin pigments remains relatively constant across sites owing to correlated variation in drosopterin production [14]. A common garden experiment showed that interpopulation variation in drosopterin production is largely genetic [14]. This is a countergradient pattern in which genetic variation in drosopterin production counteracts the effects of the carotenoid availability gradient on the pigment composition of the orange spots [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A common garden experiment showed that interpopulation variation in drosopterin production is largely genetic [14]. This is a countergradient pattern in which genetic variation in drosopterin production counteracts the effects of the carotenoid availability gradient on the pigment composition of the orange spots [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two alternative explanations for the countergradient pattern that do not require countergradient selection have been ruled out [14]. First, production costs might constrain guppies to produce less drosopterins at sites with lower food (algae) availability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To human eyes, the orange spots appear yellower (less red) as the carotenoid : drosopterin ratio increases. While variation in total pigment content affects the chroma (colour saturation) and, to a lesser extent, the brightness (total reflectivity) of the orange spots, the axis of colour variation that is most directly affected by the pigment ratio is the hue [14]. Researchers often treat hue as a categorical variable (yellow, orange, red, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Female mate preference explains countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of guppies ( Poecilia reticulata )

et al. 2011

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We tested the hypothesis that mate choice is responsible for countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). The nature of the countergradient pattern is that geographical variation in the carotenoid content of the orange spots of males is counterbalanced by genetic variation in drosopterin production, resulting in a relatively uniform pigment ratio. A female hue preference could produce this pattern, because hue is the axis of colour variation most directly affected by the pigment ratio. To test this hypothesis, we crossed two populations differing in drosopterin production and produced an F 2 generation with variable drosopterin levels. When the carotenoid content of the orange spots was held constant, female guppies preferred males with intermediate drosopterin levels. This shows that females do not simply prefer males with greater orange spot pigment content; instead, the ratio of the pigments also affects male attractiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first direct evidence for a hypothesized agent of countergradient sexual selection.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Female mate preference explains countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of guppies ( Poecilia reticulata )

et al. 2011

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The complex ecology of genitalia: Gonopodium length and allometry in the Trinidadian guppy

Lira

Yan

Levasseur

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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whereas the role played by other factors, such as ecological variation, is less often studied (Langerhans et al., 2016). One reason for this bias in effort might be the typical assumption that male genitalia do not interact much with the surrounding environment-and therefore would not be expected to show much of an ecological signature. That is, male genitalia tend to be small or are usually hidden away (for a review, see

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Estimating the Mating Success of Male Butterflies in the Field

Sasaki

Konagaya

Watanabe

et al. 2017

Diversity and Evolution of Butterfly Wing Patterns

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Sexual dimorphism in wing coloration is pervasive in butterflies and has been attributed to the process of sexual selection. However, this view has rarely been tested, partly owing to difficulties in estimating the mating success of males in the field. In the present study, we describe a method for assessing the mating success of male pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) butterflies, based on the appearance of their reproductive tracts. Laboratory experiments indicated that, in response to mating, components of the males' reproductive tracts become shorter, decrease in mass, and change in appearance, irrespective of age; and these changes persist for at least 2 days. Using these indicators of recent mating, we examined the reproductive tracts of 68 field-caught males and found that the color of the dorsal hindwing, a feature that females use in mate choice, was significantly greener in males that had recently mated than in males that had not.

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Countergradient Variation in the Sexual Coloration of Guppies (Poecilia Reticulata): Drosopterin Synthesis Balances Carotenoid Availability

Cited by 10 publications

References 51 publications

Female mate preference explains countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of guppies ( Poecilia reticulata )

Female mate preference explains countergradient variation in the sexual coloration of guppies ( Poecilia reticulata )

The complex ecology of genitalia: Gonopodium length and allometry in the Trinidadian guppy

Estimating the Mating Success of Male Butterflies in the Field

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