Evolution of female promiscuity in Passerides songbirds

BMC Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Aug. 14, 2019

Female promiscuity is highly variable among birds, and particularly songbirds. Comparative work has identified several patterns of covariation with social, sexual, ecological life history traits. However, it unclear whether these reflect causes or consequences female promiscuity, if they are byproducts some unknown evolutionary drivers. Moreover, factors that explain at the deep nodes in phylogenetic tree may be different from those important tips, i.e. closely related species. Here we examine relationships between a broad set predictor variables comprehensive data (N = 202 species) Passerides songbirds, which diversified infraorder Passeriformes exhibiting significant variation promiscuity.Female was all major clades phylogeny also We found associations albeit fairly small effect sizes (all R2 ≤ 0.08). More promiscuous species had: 1) less male parental care, during early stages nesting cycle (nest building incubation), 2) more short-term pair bonds, 3) greater degree sexual dichromatism, primarily because females were drabber, 4) migratory behaviour, 5) stronger pre-mating selection. In multivariate model, however, selection disappeared, while other four showed additive effects together explained about 16% total variance promiscuity. no relationship body size, variation, latitude cooperative breeding.We multiple traits associated but generally weak. Some traits, such as reduced care males cryptic plumage females, might even responses to, rather than of, Hence, high remains enigmatic. seems to rapidly evolving trait often diverges similar ecologies breeding systems. A future challenge therefore understand what drives within-lineage over microevolutionary time scales.

Language: Английский

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Postcopulatory sexual selection is associated with accelerated evolution of sperm morphology

Evolution, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 69(4), P. 1044 - 1052

Published: Feb. 5, 2015

Rapid diversification of sexual traits is frequently attributed to selection, though explicit tests this hypothesis remain limited. Spermatozoa exhibit remarkable variability in size and shape, studies report a correlation between sperm morphology (sperm length shape) competition risk or female reproductive tract morphology. However, whether postcopulatory processes (e.g., cryptic choice) influence the speed evolutionary form unknown. Using passerine birds, we quantified rates divergence among lineages (i.e., species pairs) determined these varied with level (estimated as relative testes mass). We found that mass was significantly positively associated more rapid phenotypic midpiece flagellum lengths, well total length. In contrast, there no association head size, models suggested evolutionarily constrained. Our results are first show an strength evolution, suggest selection promotes

Language: Английский

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Sperm head morphology is associated with sperm swimming speed: A comparative study of songbirds using electron microscopy

Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 72(9), P. 1918 - 1932

Published: July 17, 2018

Sperm exhibit extraordinary levels of morphological diversification across the animal kingdom. In songbirds, sperm have a helically shaped head incorporating distinct acrosomal membrane or "helical keel," form and extent which varies species. The functional significance this helical shape, however, remains unknown. Using scanning electron microscopy, we quantified inter‐ intraspecific variation in morphology 36 songbird species (Passeriformes: Passerida). phylogenetic comparative methods, investigated relationship between both swimming speed frequency extra‐pair young (EPY). We found that whose had relatively more pronounced (i.e., long acrosome, short nucleus, wide membrane, waveform along "core") faster‐swimming sperm. no evidence interspecific EPY, although did find among‐ within‐male traits were negatively correlated with EPY. Applying principles fluid mechanics, discuss how may influence speed, suggest further studies considering aspects beyond length are needed to improve our understanding structure‐function relationships.

Language: Английский

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The coevolutionary dynamics of cryptic female choice

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 191 - 202

Published: June 7, 2023

In contrast to sexual selection on traits that affect interactions between the sexes before mating, little theoretical research has focused coevolution of postmating via cryptic female choice (when females bias fertilization toward specific males). We used simulation models ask (a) whether and, if so, how nondirectional (female-by-male in success) causes deviations from focus exclusively male-mediated processes, and (b) risk sperm competition, strength choice, tradeoffs number interact influence coevolutionary dynamics traits. found incorporating can result males investing much less their ejaculates than predicted by with competition only. also resulted evolution genetic correlations traits, even when was weak, low. This suggests may be important systems low multiple mating. These increased as increased. When high, extreme codivergence preference occurred trait traded off number. male lagged behind traits; this lag decreased increasing competition. Overall, our results suggest deserves more attention theoretically driving ways just beginning explored.

Language: Английский

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The evolutionary history of Afrocanarian blue tits inferred from genomewide SNPs

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 24(1), P. 180 - 191

Published: Nov. 19, 2014

Abstract A common challenge in phylogenetic reconstruction is to find enough suitable genomic markers reliably trace splitting events with short internodes. Here, we present analyses based on genomewide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP s) of an enigmatic avian radiation, the subspecies complex Afrocanarian blue tits Cyanistes teneriffae ). The two sister species, Eurasian tit caeruleus ) and azure cyanus ), constituted out‐group. We generated a large data set s for analysis population structure phylogeny. also adapted our protocol utilize degraded DNA from old museum skins Libya. found strong structuring that largely confirmed monophyly constructed coalescent‐based phylogeny full support at all major nodes. results are consistent recent hypothesis La Palma Libya relic populations ancient tit, although small could not resolve its position relative Palma. birds eastern islands Fuerteventura Lanzarote similar those Morocco. Together they constitute group clade containing other Canary Islands (except Palma), which El Hierro three central islands. Hence, extant seem originate multiple independent colonization events. divergences key reproductive trait, viz. sperm length, may barriers between certain populations. recommend taxonomic revision this polytypic where several should qualify species rank.

Language: Английский

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Endless forms of sexual selection

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 7, P. e7988 - e7988

Published: Nov. 5, 2019

In recent years, the field of sexual selection has exploded, with advances in theoretical and empirical research complementing each other exciting ways. This perspective piece is product a “stock-taking” workshop on conflict. Our aim to identify deliberate outstanding questions stimulate discussion rather than provide comprehensive overview entire field. These are organized into four thematic sections we deem essential First focus evolution mate choice mating systems. Variation quality can generate both competition opposite sex, implications for Limitations may dictate importance direct vs. indirect benefits decisions consequently, systems, especially regard polyandry. Second, how sender receiver mechanisms shape signal design. Mediation honest content likely depends integration temporally variable social physiological costs that challenging measure. We view neuroethology sensory cognitive biases as main key form ‘aesthetic sense’ proposed by Darwin. Since bias sufficient initiate drive ornament or armament exaggeration, without genetically correlated even coevolving receiver, this be appropriate ‘null model’ selection. Thirdly, genetic architecture sexually selected traits. Despite modern molecular techniques, number identity genes underlying performance, display secondary traits remains largely unknown. In-depth investigations basis dimorphism context long-term studies will reveal constraints trajectories trait evolution. Finally, conflict drivers speciation. Population divergence speciation often influenced an interplay between natural The extent which promotes counteracts population vary depending well covariance local adaptation. Additionally, post-copulatory processes, such against heterospecific sperm, influence propose efforts resolve these themes catalyze conceptual progress selection, offer potential avenues advance progress.

Language: Английский

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Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Journal of Morphology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 276(4), P. 370 - 377

Published: Nov. 26, 2014

ABSTRACT Sperm performance is likely to be an important determinant of male reproductive success, especially when females copulate with multiple males. Understanding sperm therefore crucial fully understand the evolution strategies. In this study, we examined repeatability morphology and motility measures over three breeding seasons, studied relationships between function. We conducted study in wild‐derived captive house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) Spanish P. hispaniolensis ). Results for two species were similar. As predicted from results other passerine species, total length was highly repeatable across ejaculates, components moderate. The swimming speed ejaculates lower, but statistically significant, suggesting that velocity may a relatively dynamic trait. Surprisingly, did not correlate relative midpiece, it correlated negatively flagellum length. This pattern opposite what theory predicts differs has been found before. Also contrary previous work, no evidence correlates longevity. These highlight need better understanding function birds. J. Morphol. 276:370–377, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: Английский

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Sperm performance in conspecific and heterospecific female fluid

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 1363 - 1377

Published: Jan. 30, 2016

Divergent sexual selection within allopatric populations may result in divergent phenotypes, which can act as reproductive barriers between upon secondary contact. This hypothesis has been most tested on traits involved precopulatory selection, with less work focusing that after copulation and before fertilization (i.e., postcopulatory prezygotic traits), particularly internally fertilizing vertebrates. However, species also drive trait divergence, resulting reduced performance of heterospecific sperm the female tract. Such incompatibilities, arising a by-product allopatry, represent barriers, analogous to species-assortative mating preferences. Here, we for three pairs taxa diverged phenotypes moderate-to-high opportunity (barn swallows Hirundo rustica versus sand martins Riparia riparia, two subspecies bluethroats, Luscinia svecica L. s. namnetum, great tits Parus major blue Cyanistes caeruleus). We swimming fluid from outer tract females, because greatest reduction number birds occurs swim across vagina. Contrary our expectations, swam equally well conspecific suggesting do not these taxon pairs, at this stage fertilization. therefore suggest divergence allopatry is insufficient cause widespread form impaired passerine birds.

Language: Английский

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Subspecific variation in sperm morphology and performance in the Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda)

Avian Research, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Dec. 1, 2015

Evolutionary biology endeavours to explain biological diversity, and as such it is critical develop an understanding of the adaptive functional significance trait variation. Spermatozoa exhibit remarkable levels morphological diversification. However, our evolutionary causes this variation limited, especially at intraspecific level. We quantified in sperm morphology performance between two subspecies Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda P. a. hecki), a small grassfinch found tropical northern Australia. Despite zone secondary contact, these are maintained distinct forms: occurs western part species' range has yellow bill, while hecki exhibits red bill eastern range. small, but significant differences size (P. had longer narrower than which was surprising given recent origins taxa (i.e. 0.3 million years ago). Additionally, both exhibited high values between- within-male morphology, though case midpiece length significantly lower relative hecki. suggest observed result genetic drift reflect historical processes associated with divergence populations subspecies. Finally, we discuss potential implications findings for process population reproductive isolation.

Language: Английский

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Testing a post-copulatory pre-zygotic reproductive barrier in a passerine species pair

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 68(7), P. 1133 - 1144

Published: April 11, 2014

Language: Английский

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