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Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
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Female, but not male, nematodes evolve under experimental sexual coevolution
K Fritzsche1, N Timmermeyer2, M Wolter1
1Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 24, 2014
Summary
Sexual selection may not always be male-driven. Research shows female nematodes evolved resistance traits under varying sexual selection, challenging the male-driven coevolutionary model. This highlights female agency in evolutionary dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Sexual Selection
- Genetics
Background:
- Antagonistic coevolution between sexes is often viewed as male-driven.
- Males evolve traits for fertilization success, prompting female counter-adaptations.
- This dynamic resembles Red Queen dynamics but lacks empirical testing of male trait precedence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test the assumption of male-driven trait evolution in sexual coevolution.
- To investigate the role of sexual selection pressure on female and male trait evolution.
- To examine the generality of the male-driven sexual coevolutionary model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the gonochoristic nematode Caenorhabditis remanei.
- Subjected populations to 20 generations of relaxed versus increased sexual selection.
- Monitored and analyzed trait evolution in both sexes.
Main Results:
- Females evolved new traits under altered sexual selection pressures.
- Males did not exhibit significant trait evolution under the same conditions.
- Results question the prevailing hypothesis of male-driven antagonistic coevolution.
Conclusions:
- Female trait evolution can occur independently of male trait evolution.
- The model of sexual coevolution being solely male-driven may be too general.
- Female counter-adaptation can be a primary driver in intersexual coevolution.
Keywords:
Caenorhabditis remaneiRed Queenexperimental evolutionmale harmsexual selectionsexually antagonistic coevolutionMore Related Videos
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