Sexual selection, phenotypic variation, and allometry in genitalic and non-genitalic traits in the sexually size-dimorphic stick insect<i>Micrarchus hystriculeus</i>

Kelly, Clint D.

doi:10.1111/bij.12344

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…In connection with this, a number of studies are available that link the shape of certain structures (both the "usual morphological" traits and secondary sexual characteristics) with success in mating in the most studied Drosophila species (Menezes et al, 2013;Trajković et al, 2013;LeVasseur-Viens and Moehring, 2014;Richmond, 2014), as well as in other taxa (e.g. Kelly, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual behaviour and morphological variation in the millipede Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897)

Vujić

Ilić

Jovanović

et al. 2018

CTOZ

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Sexual selection can be a major driving force that favours morphological evolution at the intraspecific level. According to the sexual selection theory, morphological variation may accompany non-random mating or fertilization. Here both variation of linear measurements and variation in the shape of certain structures can significantly influence mate choice in different organisms. In the present work, we quantified sexual behaviour of the millipede Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897) as characterized by several sequences. These are: mating latency, duration of copulation, contact to copulation time, duration of contact without copulation, time from entrance (time-point when individuals were placed in boxes in which tests occurred) to contact with copulation, and time from entrance to contact without copulation. Further, we analysed the influence of morphological variation (both variation of linear measurements and variation in the shape of several structures) on mating success. Variation of body length, antennal length, length of the walking legs, trunk width, and trunk height was analysed by traditional morphometrics, while variation in size and shape of the antennae, walking legs, head, and gonopods (promeres, opisthomeres) was analysed using geometric morphometrics. More than half of all physical contacts detected among the millipedes resulted in copulation. Based on the value of sexual selection coefficients, preferences toward the previous partner were found to be prevalent in both female and male choice tests. Individuals with different mating status significantly differed in some morphological traits (body mass, head centroid size, head shape, and promere shape). Our study yielded new information about the sexual behaviour of millipedes and variation of morphological traits as a potential basis for mate preferences.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual behaviour and morphological variation in the millipede Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897)

Vujić

Ilić

Jovanović

et al. 2018

CTOZ

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“…As in R. longirostre sexual dimorphism is derived from two forces. Natural selection favours larger females while sexual selection stabilizes the size of the male hind legs (Kelly, ). Brown () concluded that assortative mating by size and body mass occurs in the chrysomelid beetle Trirhabda canadensis .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection becomes visible: enforced sexual dimorphism caused by sexual selection in the weevilRhopalapion longirostre(Olivier 1807) (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae)

Wilhelm

Handschuh

Plant

et al. 2015

Biol J Linn Soc Lond

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Extremely divergent traits between males and females are often the result of different requirements and behaviours of the sexes and will evolve relatively rapidly under selection forces. Sexual dimorphism in Rhopalapion longirostre is predominately manifested in the length and structure of the rostrum. To estimate how sexual selection shapes mating success in this weevil we compared paired and unpaired individuals collected from three populations in Austria. The mating process in this species is complex and lengthy. Statistical analyses based on detailed observations of their mating behaviour revealed that matched pairs show functional affinities in body size. Females and males with larger elytra, as well as males with large overall body size, are favoured mating partners, while males that are too small have no mating success. This arrangement ensures copulation and consequently successful egg deposition. For efficient egg channel boring into the flower buds of the host plant, Alcea rosea, the extremely long female rostrum is a crucial tool. Natural selection promotes longer rostra in females whereas sexual selection favours the shorter rostra in males. The major evolutionary forces, natural and sexual selection, enhance the sexual dimorphism in this species.

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“…We highlight that we do not include positive allometry as a condition to define ISWs since it has been shown that, in some cases, characters under sexual selection are isometric or negatively allometric (reviews in Bonduriansky, ; van Lieshout & Elgar, ), and that such disproportional scaling of traits is not exclusive to sexually selected traits (e.g. Simmons & Tomkins, ; Schulte‐Hostedde et al, ; Bergmann & Berk, ; Kelly, ; Voje, ). Many weapon‐like traits satisfy the first condition when diet and/or nesting activities (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intrasexually selected weapons

2018

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We propose a practical concept that distinguishes the particular kind of weaponry that has evolved to be used in combat between individuals of the same species and sex, which we term intrasexually selected weapons (ISWs). We present a treatise of ISWs in nature, aiming to understand their distinction and evolution from other secondary sex traits, including from 'sexually selected weapons', and from sexually dimorphic and monomorphic weaponry. We focus on the subset of secondary sex traits that are the result of same-sex combat, defined here as ISWs, provide not previously reported evolutionary patterns, and offer hypotheses to answer questions such as: why have only some species evolved weapons to fight for the opposite sex or breeding resources? We examined traits that seem to have evolved as ISWs in the entire animal phylogeny, restricting the classification of ISW to traits that are only present or enlarged in adults of one of the sexes, and are used as weapons during intrasexual fights. Because of the absence of behavioural data and, in many cases, lack of sexually discriminated series from juveniles to adults, we exclude the fossil record from this review. We merge morphological, ontogenetic, and behavioural information, and for the first time thoroughly review the tree of life to identify separate evolution of ISWs. We found that ISWs are only found in bilateral animals, appearing independently in nematodes, various groups of arthropods, and vertebrates. Our review sets a reference point to explore other taxa that we identify with potential ISWs for which behavioural or morphological studies are warranted. We establish that most ISWs come in pairs, are located in or near the head, are endo- or exoskeletal modifications, are overdeveloped structures compared with those found in females, are modified feeding structures and/or locomotor appendages, are most common in terrestrial taxa, are frequently used to guard females, territories, or both, and are also used in signalling displays to deter rivals and/or attract females. We also found that most taxa lack ISWs, that females of only a few species possess better-developed weapons than males, that the cases of independent evolution of ISWs are not evenly distributed across the phylogeny, and that animals possessing the most developed ISWs have non-hunting habits (e.g. herbivores) or are faunivores that prey on very small prey relative to their body size (e.g. insectivores). Bringing together perspectives from studies on a variety of taxa, we conceptualize that there are five ways in which a sexually dimorphic trait, apart from the primary sex traits, can be fixed: sexual selection, fecundity selection, parental role division, differential niche occupation between the sexes, and interference competition. We discuss these trends and the factors involved in the evolution of intrasexually selected weaponry in nature.

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Sexual selection, phenotypic variation, and allometry in genitalic and non-genitalic traits in the sexually size-dimorphic stick insectMicrarchus hystriculeus

Cited by 31 publications

References 110 publications

Sexual behaviour and morphological variation in the millipede Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897)

Sexual behaviour and morphological variation in the millipede Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897)

Selection becomes visible: enforced sexual dimorphism caused by sexual selection in the weevilRhopalapion longirostre(Olivier 1807) (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae)

Intrasexually selected weapons

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