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Sex roles and sexual selection: lessons from a dynamic model system
1Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
Current Zoology
|November 8, 2018
Summary
Sexual selection dynamics were studied in the two-spotted goby fish (Gobiusculus flavescens). Sex roles reverse seasonally due to changes in the operational sex ratio, impacting competition and mate choice.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Zoology
Background:
- Sexual selection research has evolved beyond male-only focus to include female competition and mate choice.
- Studies now explore the variation and spatiotemporal dynamics of sexual selection and their evolutionary impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review insights into dynamic sexual selection using the two-spotted goby fish (Gobiusculus flavescens) as a model system.
- To examine how a complete reversal of sex roles over a breeding season is driven by changes in the operational sex ratio.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of Gobiusculus flavescens behavior and mating patterns.
- Analysis of seasonal shifts in operational sex ratio and their correlation with sexual selection intensity.
Main Results:
- Gobiusculus flavescens exhibits a complete sex role reversal over a 3-month breeding season.
- Early season: male-biased operational sex ratio leads to male competition and selection on males.
- Late season: female-biased operational sex ratio leads to female competition and male mate choice, favoring colorful females.
Conclusions:
- The dynamic sexual selection regime in G. flavescens explains ornamental coloration in both sexes.
- Sexual behavior and selection are highly dynamic, responding to short-term fluctuations in mating competition.
- Future research should investigate spatial scales of sexual selection dynamics.
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