Sexual dimorphism in an adaptive radiation: Does intersexual niche differentiation result in ecological character displacement?

Wasiljew, Benjamin D.; Pfaender, Jobst; Wipfler‍, Benjamin; Gabelaia, Mariam; Utama, Ilham Vemandra; Wantania, Letha L.; Herder, Fabian

doi:10.1002/ece3.8137

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(223 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…male courtship), and of ecological selection for dimorphic niches due to reproductive constraints or resource competition (Herler et al, 2010; Sowersby et al, 2021; Walker & McCormick, 2009). Moreover, sexually dimorphic traits can play an important role in population divergence and adaptive radiations because such traits can reinforce interspecific differences in behaviour, feeding and habitat use, thus adding to species diversification (Bolnick & Doebeli, 2003; Martínez‐Ruiz & Knell, 2017; Wasiljew et al, 2021). However, there is a clear gap in our knowledge about the range of variability of sexually dimorphic characters within and between the sexes, although such data are crucial to shed light on how sex dimorphism can contribute to speciation (Welsh & Fuller, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex dimorphism and evidence of sexually selected traits: A case study on the killifish Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872)

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Variability is a basic element of biology and is an essential component of evolutionary processes. Phenotypic variability within a species can be linked to ecological, environmental and ontogenetic factors, but also to sex-related differences (Martinez et al., 2019). The phenomenon of sex-related variability often appears in the form of sex dimorphism, which is usually manifested in differences in the size, colour or shape of morphological structures (

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex dimorphism and evidence of sexually selected traits: A case study on the killifish Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872)

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, as far back as Darwin's discussions of their “habits of life” (Darwin, 1871 , p.254), authors have noted that sexual dimorphisms can relate not only to each sex's reproductive success but also to their respective ecologies (Shine & Goiran, 2021 ; Temeles et al, 2000 ; Wasiljew et al, 2021 ). Divergence of the sexes along various biotic and abiotic niche axes (e.g., temperature, diet, habitat) should facilitate intersex niche partitioning, which may covary with sexual dimorphism in traits relevant to ecology (Butler et al, 2007 ; Herrel et al, 1999 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can diet niche partitioning enhance sexual dimorphism?

Bauld

Abernethy

Newton

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Classic evolutionary theory suggests that sexual dimorphism evolves primarily via sexual and fecundity selection. However, theory and evidence are beginning to accumulate suggesting that resource competition can drive the evolution of sexual dimorphism, via ecological character displacement between sexes. A key prediction of this hypothesis is that the extent of ecological divergence between sexes will be associated with the extent of sexual dimorphism. As the stable isotope ratios of animal tissues provide a quantitative measure of various aspects of ecology, we carried out a meta‐analysis examining associations between the extent of isotopic divergence between sexes and the extent of body size dimorphism. Our models demonstrate that large amounts of between‐study variation in isotopic (ecological) divergence between sexes is nonrandom and may be associated with the traits of study subjects. We, therefore, completed meta‐regressions to examine whether the extent of isotopic divergence between sexes is associated with the extent of sexual size dimorphism. We found modest but significantly positive associations across species between size dimorphism and ecological differences between sexes, that increased in strength when the ecological opportunity for dietary divergence between sexes was greatest. Our results, therefore, provide further evidence that ecologically mediated selection, not directly related to reproduction, can contribute to the evolution of sexual dimorphism.

show abstract

Functional morphology of prey capture in stream-dwelling sailfin silversides (Telmatherinidae) based on high-speed video recordings

Wasiljew¹,

Pfaender²,

Wipfler‍³

et al. 2022

Zoomorphology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding how ecology shapes the evolution of morphological traits is a major goal in organismal biology. By quantifying force of motion, hypotheses on the function of fundamental tasks of animals like feeding can be tested. Ray-finned fishes use various feeding strategies, classified into three main feeding modes: suction, ram and manipulation. While manipulation feeders are usually distinct in morphology and feeding behavior, differentiation between suction and ram feeders is often fine-scaled and transitional. Previous studies have identified different feeding modes and biomechanical adaptations on interspecific and intersexual levels in lake-dwelling sailfin silversides, species of a Sulawesi freshwater radiation. Functional feeding morphology of stream-dwelling species remained in contrast unstudied. We hypothesized that different requirements of riverine habitats favor the evolution of alternative functional adaptations in stream-dwelling sailfin silversides. To test this hypothesis, we investigated feeding of two phenotypically distinct riverine species, Telmatherina bonti and Marosatherina ladigesi, and their sexes, by high-speed videos and biomechanical models. The kinematic approaches identify T. bonti as ram feeder and M. ladigesi as suction feeder. Surprisingly, the biomechanical models of the jaw apparatus provide contradicting results: only one out of three studied parameters varies between both species. Contrarily to lake-dwelling Telmatherina, sexes of both species do not differ in feeding biomechanics. We conclude that T. bonti predominantly uses ram feeding while M. ladigesi primarily uses suction feeding as its main hunting strategy. Feeding biomechanics of stream-dwelling sailfin silversides are less distinct compared to lake-dwelling species, likely due to different trophic ecologies or less stable ecological conditions.

show abstract

Sexual dimorphism in an adaptive radiation: Does intersexual niche differentiation result in ecological character displacement?

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 5 publications

References 63 publications

Sex dimorphism and evidence of sexually selected traits: A case study on the killifish Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872)

Sex dimorphism and evidence of sexually selected traits: A case study on the killifish Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872)

Can diet niche partitioning enhance sexual dimorphism?

Functional morphology of prey capture in stream-dwelling sailfin silversides (Telmatherinidae) based on high-speed video recordings

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About