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The evolution of postpairing male mate choice
Nan Lyu1,2, Maria R Servedio2, Huw Lloyd3
1Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China.
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|April 4, 2017
Summary
Male mate choice can evolve when males adjust parental care based on female signals, but this depends on the trade-off between care and seeking extra-pair copulations (EPCs). Female signaling and male preference can co-evolve under specific conditions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Population genetics
Background:
- Empirical studies confirm male mate choice in animals.
- The evolution of post-mating male choice, particularly through differential allocation of parental care in response to female signals, remains understudied.
- Understanding male parental care trade-offs with extra-pair copulations (EPCs) is crucial for evolutionary insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions under which post-mating male choice evolves.
- To model the co-evolution of male preference and female signaling when males face a trade-off between parental care and EPCs.
- To explore the influence of parental investment differences and EPC benefits on the evolution of male choice and female signaling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a population genetic model.
- Simulated scenarios where males adjust parental care effort based on female signals.
- Incorporated a trade-off between parental care and the pursuit of extra-pair copulations (EPCs).
Main Results:
- Male preference and female signaling can evolve under specific conditions.
- A significant difference in parental investment between preferred and non-preferred females is required.
- The balance between parental care and EPC benefits influences the fixation or cycling of associated alleles.
- Less costly female signals facilitate the evolution of both signaling and choice.
Conclusions:
- Post-mating male choice, driven by differential parental care allocation, can evolve.
- The evolution is contingent on the male's trade-off between parental duties and EPCs.
- Sexual conflict over parental care may be influenced by these dynamics.