Condition-dependence, genotype-by-environment interactions and the lek paradox.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Population Genetics
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• The lek paradox highlights the difficulty in maintaining genetic variation for indirect benefit models of female choice.
• Proposed solutions include 'genic capture' (condition-dependence) and genotype-by-environment interactions (GEIs).
• These factors have historically been studied in isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate condition-dependence and GEIs in a population genetic model.
• To investigate how dispersal timing affects the resolution of the lek paradox.
• To assess the dual impact of GEIs on genetic variation and trait-fitness association.

Main Methods:

• Developed a population genetic model combining condition-dependence and GEIs.
• Analyzed the influence of dispersal timing relative to the life cycle.
• Examined the interplay between environmental variation, sexual trait expression, and offspring fitness.

Main Results:

• The timing of dispersal significantly alters the magnitude and direction of evolutionary predictions.
• GEIs can enhance the evolution of female preferences but may also impede it under specific dispersal scenarios.
• High selection or mutation rates can also negatively impact the process.
• The effectiveness of GEIs is context-dependent, influenced by dispersal timing and other factors.

Conclusions:

• Resolving the lek paradox requires evaluating mechanisms' effects on both genetic variation and the male attractiveness-offspring fitness link.
• GEIs offer a complex solution, with outcomes varying based on ecological and life-history factors.
• Future research should consider the integrated effects of these factors in diverse biological systems.