Evolutionary Conflict Between Maternal and Paternal Interests: Integration with Evolutionary Endocrinology

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Endocrinology
• Genomics

Background:

• Intra-familial conflicts arise from differing evolutionary interests between mates and between parents and offspring.
• Hormone systems, like testosterone (T), act as proximate mechanisms influencing adaptation and maladaptation in evolutionary conflicts.
• While T's role in sexual dimorphism is known, its specific function in evolutionary conflict requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review genomic conflicts within families.
• To explore the impact of testosterone on reproductive and survival traits.
• To integrate endocrinology into the study of sexual and parent-offspring conflicts.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on genomic conflicts and hormone systems.
• Integration of evidence from the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) system.
• Analysis of testosterone's role in fitness trade-offs.

Main Results:

• Testosterone influences traits related to reproduction and survival, leading to sexually antagonistic fitness trade-offs.
• Lower testosterone levels are favored in females.
• Optimal testosterone levels in males are context-dependent, fluctuating with social and ecological factors.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone plays a crucial role in mediating evolutionary conflicts within families.
• Understanding context-dependent testosterone optima in males and favored levels in females is key to resolving these conflicts.
• Future research should further integrate endocrinology to deepen the understanding of sexual and parent-offspring conflicts.