Variation in male effects on female fecundity in <i><scp>D</scp>rosophila melanogaster</i>

Tennant, Hannah M E; Sonser, E. E.; Long, Tristan A. F.

doi:10.1111/jeb.12305

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…For females, male identity has been associated with a sizeable percentage of the phenotypic variation in female fecundity [23]. Here, we demonstrated that this variation is owing (in part) to the presence of segregating additive genetic variation, which can account for approximately 10% of female fecundity variation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Genetic variation in male-induced harm in Drosophila melanogaster

Filice¹,

Long²

2016

Biol. Lett.

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In Drosophila melanogaster, prolonged exposure to males reduces the longevity and fecundity of females. This harm arises from the effects of male courtship behaviours and the toxic side effects of the accessory gland proteins (Acps) in their seminal fluids. Here, we examine the relationship between male exposure and its harmful effect on the lifetime fitness of his mates, and quantify the genetic basis for this variation. We found significant additive genetic variation in the magnitude of harm that males impose on females by exposing females to males from a variety of hemiclonal backgrounds for either a brief or prolonged period of time and measuring their fecundity, a meaningful fitness index. Furthermore, we discovered a strong negative correlation between the magnitude of harm and the short-term effects of male exposure on female fitness. We discuss the evolutionary significance of these results with regards to potential life-history trade-offs in females, and its relationship to male body size.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Genetic variation in male-induced harm in Drosophila melanogaster

Filice¹,

Long²

2016

Biol. Lett.

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“…Nevertheless, other female traits that would be expected to be susceptible to sexual conflict dynamics such as egg production showed no IGEs (Edward et al 2014). Another D. melanogaster study recovered a significant effect of male partner identity on female fecundity, consistent with a male IGE affecting female fitness components (Tennant et al 2014). Male IGEs affecting female fecundity appear to be exerted through male mitonuclear epistasis in seed beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus), suggesting a complex interplay between organelle-specific IGEs and sexual conflict (Immonen et al 2016).…”

Section: Empirical Evidence For Iges In Behavioral Ecology Researchmentioning

confidence: 95%

Indirect genetic effects in behavioral ecology: does behavior play a special role in evolution?

2017

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Behavior is rapidly flexible and highly context-dependent, which poses obvious challenges to researchers attempting to dissect its causes. However, over a century of unresolved debate has also focused on whether the very flexibility and context-dependence of behavior lends it a unique role in the evolutionary origins and patterns of diversity in the Animal Kingdom. Here, we propose that both challenges can benefit from studying how indirect genetic effects (IGEs: the effects of genes expressed in one individual on traits in another individual) shape behavioral phenotypes. We provide a sketch of the theoretical framework that grounds IGEs in behavioral ecology research and focus on recent advances made from studies of IGEs in areas of behavioral ecology such as sexual selection, sexual conflict, social dominance, and parent-offspring interactions. There is mounting evidence that IGEs have important influences on behavioral phenotypes associated with these processes, such as sexual signals and preferences and behaviors which function to manipulate interacting partners. IGEs can also influence both responses to selection and selection itself, and considering IGEs refines evolutionary predictions and provides new perspectives on the origins of seemingly perplexing behavioral traits. A key unresolved question, but one that has dominated the behavioral sciences for over a century, is whether behavior is more likely than other types of traits to contribute to evolutionary change and diversification. We advocate taking advantage of an IGE approach to outline falsifiable hypotheses and a general methodology to rigorously test this frequently proposed, yet still contentious, special role of behavior in evolution.

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“…An additional source contributing to male fitness was variation in female fecundity. Variation among males in the extent to which they can enhance female egg laying is expected to contribute to overall differences in female fecundity (Smith et al, 2009;Tennant et al, 2014) as well as female condition. However, how much variation in female fecundity contributes to male fitness might also depend on a male's genotype.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the post‐mating fitness landscape in fruit flies

Fricke

Chapman

2017

J of Evolutionary Biology

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Sperm competition is pervasive and fundamental to determining a male's overall fitness. Sperm traits and seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) are key factors. However, studies of sperm competition may often exclude females that fail to remate during a defined period. Hence, the resulting data sets contain fewer data from the potentially fittest males that have most success in preventing female remating. It is also important to consider a male's reproductive success before entering sperm competition, which is a major contributor to fitness. The exclusion of these data can both hinder our understanding of the complete fitness landscapes of competing males and lessen our ability to assess the contribution of different determinants of reproductive success to male fitness. We addressed this here, using the Drosophila melanogaster model system, by (i) capturing a comprehensive range of intermating intervals that define the fitness of interacting wild‐type males and (ii) analysing outcomes of sperm competition using selection analyses. We conducted additional tests using males lacking the sex peptide (SP) ejaculate component vs. genetically matched (SP +) controls. This allowed us to assess the comprehensive fitness effects of this important Sfp on sperm competition. The results showed a signature of positive, linear selection in wild‐type and SP + control males on the length of the intermating interval and on male sperm competition defence. However, the fitness surface for males lacking SP was distinct, with local fitness peaks depending on contrasting combinations of remating intervals and offspring numbers. The results suggest that there are alternative routes to success in sperm competition and provide an explanation for the maintenance of variation in sperm competition traits.

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Variation in male effects on female fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster

Cited by 7 publications

References 57 publications

Genetic variation in male-induced harm in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetic variation in male-induced harm in Drosophila melanogaster

Indirect genetic effects in behavioral ecology: does behavior play a special role in evolution?

Variation in the post‐mating fitness landscape in fruit flies

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