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Environment-dependent intralocus sexual conflict in a dioecious plant
Lynda F Delph1, Jonathan Andicoechea, Janet C Steven
1Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. ldelph@indiana.edu
The New Phytologist
|July 6, 2011
Summary
Intralocus sexual conflict, where selection differs between sexes for shared traits, is influenced by environmental factors like water availability. This study reveals environment-dependent conflict in specific leaf area in Silene latifolia.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Plant sciences
- Sexual conflict research
Background:
- Intralocus sexual conflict arises from differing selection pressures between sexes on traits with a shared genetic basis.
- Environmental factors can mediate the expression and evolutionary trajectory of sexual conflict.
- Understanding these conflicts is crucial for explaining patterns of sexual dimorphism and trait evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate environment-dependent intralocus sexual conflict in the plant Silene latifolia.
- To quantify genetic correlations and selection pressures on floral and leaf traits in relation to water availability.
- To determine if specific leaf area, a trait genetically correlated between sexes, is subject to environmental modification of sexual conflict.
Main Methods:
- Quantified the genetic variance-covariance matrix (G) for both sexes and the between-sex matrix (B) for floral and leaf traits.
- Assessed survival-based selection on males and females over two years in four natural populations differing in water availability.
- Analyzed the relationship between environmental conditions (water availability) and selection on specific leaf area.
Main Results:
- Environment-dependent intralocus sexual conflict was identified for specific leaf area, a trait genetically correlated between sexes.
- Males faced significant negative selection on specific leaf area in low-water conditions, while females experienced stabilizing selection.
- The extent of intralocus sexual conflict varied with population-specific water availability.
Conclusions:
- Specific leaf area exhibits environment-dependent intralocus sexual conflict, influenced by water availability.
- Genetic correlations between specific leaf area and other sexually dimorphic traits (flower size/number) may complicate conflict resolution.
- Environmental context is critical for understanding the evolution and manifestation of intralocus sexual conflict.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Frequency-dependent Selection
When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
01:20Mate Choice
Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.
01:17What is a Species?
Overview
02:34Competition
When organisms require the same limited resources within an environment, they may have to compete for them. Competition is a net-negative interaction. Even if two competing individuals or populations do not interact directly, the overall fitness of both competitors is lowered as a result of not having full access to the limited resource.
01:31Formation of Species
Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.