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Sexual selection and speciation: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
Tim Janicke1, Tamra C Mendelson2, Michael G Ritchie3
1CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
Evolution Letters
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Sexual selection modestly promotes speciation across animals, but is not a dominant driver. Further research on diverse taxa and post-copulatory mechanisms is needed to fully understand its role in biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Speciation Research
- Biodiversity Science
Background:
- Understanding biodiversity drivers is key in evolutionary biology.
- Sexual selection is a proposed catalyst for speciation, but evidence is inconclusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the relationship between sexual selection and species diversity.
- To synthesize empirical evidence across the animal kingdom.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 145 effect sizes from 50 comparative studies.
- Tested relationship between sexual selection proxies and species diversity.
- Analyzed heterogeneity using moderators and sensitivity analyses.
Main Results:
- A modest positive association (r=0.201) between sexual selection and species diversity was found.
- Sexual selection is not a dominant driver (R²=0.04), with significant heterogeneity.
- Studies ignoring phylogenetic non-independence reported stronger effects.
Conclusions:
- Sexual selection contributes to speciation but is not the primary driver.
- Taxonomic affinities and study methodologies influence effect sizes.
- Future research requires broader taxonomic scope and focus on understudied sexual selection mechanisms.
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