Mitochondrial function and sexual selection: can physiology resolve the 'lek paradox'?

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Sexual selection drives the evolution of male ornaments and displays, signaling male quality to females.
• Female mating preferences are thought to provide direct (resources) or indirect (offspring fitness) benefits.
• The 'paradox of the lek' questions how heritable variation in fitness-related traits is maintained under strong female choice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of mitochondrial function in maintaining variation in sexually selected traits.
• To discuss mechanisms by which mitochondria influence trait expression and female preferences.
• To propose how mitochondrial factors can resolve the paradox of the lek.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on sexual selection, mitochondrial function, and genetics.
• Discussion of theoretical models, including the mitonuclear compatibility model.
• Synthesis of empirical evidence linking trait expression to mitochondrial function.

Main Results:

• Mitochondrial function can influence the expression of sexually selected traits.
• Maternal effects and mitonuclear compatibility can maintain heritable variation in these traits.
• These mitochondrial mechanisms offer a potential resolution to the paradox of the lek.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating mitochondrial function into sexual selection models is crucial for understanding trait evolution.
• Maternal control over offspring mitochondrial and nuclear gene compatibility is a key factor.
• Future research should further investigate the interplay between mitochondria and sexual selection.