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Replicator-dynamics models of sexual conflict.
1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyoku, Japan. m-kimura@biol.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|June 10, 2009
Summary
Sexual conflict drives an evolutionary arms race between males and females. Our models reveal conditions for costly traits and complex dynamics, with one model showing bistability dependent on initial conditions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Game theory
Background:
- Sexual conflict arises when male and female reproductive interests diverge.
- This conflict can lead to coevolutionary arms races, with escalating traits in both sexes.
- Understanding the dynamics of sexual conflict is crucial for explaining mating behaviors and reproductive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of sexual conflict using simple replicator-dynamics models.
- To determine conditions favoring the evolution of costly male and female traits.
- To explore the maintenance of polymorphism and complex evolutionary outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Development of two replicator-dynamics models of sexual conflict.
- Model 1: Female fitness decreases linearly with mating rate.
- Model 2: Female fitness peaks at an optimal mating rate.
Main Results:
- Identified conditions for the establishment of costly sexual traits.
- Model 2 exhibited more complex dynamics, including bistability, where outcomes depend on initial population states.
- Polymorphism maintenance was examined under different fitness scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Simple models can capture complex evolutionary dynamics of sexual conflict.
- The form of female fitness dependence significantly influences evolutionary trajectories.
- Bistability in Model 2 suggests that historical contingency can shape sexual conflict outcomes.
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