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Runaway sexual selection leads to good genes
Christopher H Chandler1, Charles Ofria, Ian Dworkin
1BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|January 8, 2013
Summary
Sexual displays evolve through runaway selection, becoming condition-dependent indicators of male viability without handicaps. This suggests sexual selection and good genes benefits interact and reinforce each other.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mate choice and sexual displays are common in nature but their evolutionary drivers are debated.
- Theories include runaway sexual selection (genetic correlation) and good genes benefits (indicator of male quality).
- These hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and can interact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of condition-dependent sexual displays.
- To test whether runaway sexual selection can lead to displays indicating male viability.
- To explore the genetic architecture underlying sexual displays and viability.
Main Methods:
- Experimental evolution using digital organisms.
- Simulating mate choice and sexual selection processes.
- Analyzing genetic correlations and pleiotropy between display traits and viability.
Main Results:
- Sexual displays spread initially via runaway sexual selection.
- These displays evolved to become condition-dependent indicators of male viability.
- A pleiotropic genetic architecture, not handicap costs, underpinned display evolution and viability indication.
Conclusions:
- Runaway sexual selection can initiate the evolution of indicator displays.
- Condition-dependent sexual displays can evolve without direct handicap costs.
- Sexual selection and good genes benefits likely interact and reinforce each other in evolution.
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