Operational sex ratio, sexual conflict and the intensity of sexual selection.
Details
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_342607DB168B
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Operational sex ratio, sexual conflict and the intensity of sexual selection.
Journal
Ecology Letters
ISSN
1461-0248 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1461-023X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
11
Number
5
Pages
432-439
Language
english
Abstract
Modern sexual selection theory indicates that reproductive costs rather than the operational sex ratio predict the intensity of sexual selection. We investigated sexual selection in the polygynandrous common lizard Lacerta vivipara. This species shows male aggression, causing high mating costs for females when adult sex ratios (ASR) are male-biased. We manipulated ASR in 12 experimental populations and quantified the intensity of sexual selection based on the relationship between reproductive success and body size. In sharp contrast to classical sexual selection theory predictions, positive directional sexual selection on male size was stronger and positive directional selection on female size weaker in female-biased populations than in male-biased populations. Thus, consistent with modern theory, directional sexual selection on male size was weaker in populations with higher female mating costs. This suggests that the costs of breeding, but not the operational sex ratio, correctly predicted the strength of sexual selection.
Keywords
Animals, Body Size/genetics, Female, Lizards/genetics, Male, Oviparity/physiology, Selection, Genetic, Sex Characteristics, Sex Ratio, Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
12/11/2010 11:15
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:20