No selection for change in polyandry under experimental evolution

Sutter, Andreas, Travers, Laura M, Weedon, Melanie, Oku, Keiko, Price, Thomas A R and Wedell, Nina (2019) No selection for change in polyandry under experimental evolution. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 32 (7). pp. 717-730. ISSN 1010-061X

Preview

PDF (Accepted_manuscript) - Accepted Version Download (863kB) | Preview

Abstract

What drives mating system variation is a major question in evolutionary biology. Female multiple mating (polyandry) has diverse evolutionary consequences, and there are many potential benefits and costs of polyandry. However, our understanding of its evolution is biased towards studies enforcing monandry in polyandrous species. What drives and maintains variation in polyandry between individuals, genotypes, populations and species remains poorly understood. Genetic variation in polyandry may be actively maintained by selection, or arise by chance if polyandry is selectively neutral. In Drosophila pseudoobscura, there is genetic variation in polyandry between and within populations. We used isofemale lines to found replicate populations with high or low initial levels of polyandry and tracked polyandry under experimental evolution over seven generations. Polyandry remained relatively stable, reflecting the starting frequencies of the experimental populations. There were no clear fitness differences between high versus low polyandry genotypes, and there was no signature of balancing selection. We confirmed these patterns in direct comparisons between evolved and ancestral females and found no consequences of polyandry for female fecundity. The absence of differential selection even when initiating populations with major differences in polyandry casts some doubt on the importance of polyandry for female fitness.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2019 European Society For Evolutionary Biology. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2019 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	03 May 2019 08:30
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 04:43
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70804
DOI:	10.1111/jeb.13476

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item