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Female-driven intersexual coevolution in beetle genitalia.

Bruno C Genevcius1, Joanna Baker2, Filipe M Bianchi3

  • 1Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|April 12, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Female genitalia drive evolutionary changes in male genitals, challenging the traditional view of sexual conflict. This study reveals female-initiated coevolution in beetles, impacting male traits over long evolutionary periods.

Keywords:
macro-evolutionreproductionsexual selectionsexually antagonistic coevolution

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Sexual Selection
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Genital coevolution arises from sexual conflict, where adaptations in one sex impact the other.
  • Traditionally, sexual conflict is thought to exert stronger selection on males, following the Darwin-Bateman anisogamy paradigm.
  • Emerging evidence suggests female genitalia possess complex functions, potentially making them key targets of selection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether female genital traits initiate coevolutionary processes in beetles (Coleoptera).
  • To test the hypothesis that changes in female genitalia drive subsequent adaptations in male genital traits.
  • To examine the role of female-exclusive functions, like oviposition, in shaping genital coevolution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a statistical phylogenetic framework across the entire beetle phylogeny.
  • Focused analysis on the proctiger, a component of both male terminalia and the female ovipositor.
  • Analyzed evolutionary transitions in male and female genital traits.

Main Results:

  • Presented a comprehensive case of male-female genital coevolution in beetles.
  • Provided strong statistical evidence for female-initiated coevolutionary pathways.
  • Demonstrated that most male genital evolutionary transitions followed changes in females.

Conclusions:

  • Confirmed that female genital traits can evolve independently and trigger male counter-adaptations.
  • Supported the hypothesis that female genitalia are primary targets of selection, driving coevolution.
  • Indicated that this female-driven evolutionary dynamic is consistent across beetle phylogeny and may persist over long timescales.