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
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
375(1813), P. 20200077 - 20200077
Published: Oct. 18, 2020
The
role
of
non-gametic
components
the
ejaculate
(seminal
fluid)
in
fertility
and
sperm
competitiveness
is
now
well
established.
Surprisingly,
however,
we
know
far
less
about
female
reproductive
fluid
(FRF)
context
sexual
selection,
insights
into
male–FRF
interactions
competition
have
only
recently
emerged.
Despite
this
limited
knowledge,
evidence
from
taxonomically
diverse
species
has
revealed
effects
FRF
on
traits
that
previously
been
implicated
studies
competition.
Specifically,
through
differential
a
range
traits,
including
chemoattraction
alterations
velocity,
shown
to
exert
positive
phenotypic
males
are
preferred
as
mating
partners,
or
those
most
compatible
genetically
males.
these
tantalizing
putative
sexually
selected
functions
FRF,
largely
lack
mechanistic
understanding
processes.
Taken
together,
presented
here
highlights
likely
ubiquity
FRF-regulated
biases
fertilization
success
across
taxa,
thus
potentially
elevating
importance
other
so
studied
This
article
part
theme
issue
‘Fifty
years
competition'.
Evolution,
Journal Year:
2016,
Volume and Issue:
70(8), P. 1844 - 1855
Published: June 17, 2016
When
hybridization
is
maladaptive,
species‐specific
mate
preferences
are
selectively
favored,
but
low
availability
may
constrain
species‐assortative
pairing.
Females
paired
to
heterospecifics
then
benefit
by
copulating
with
multiple
males
and
subsequently
favoring
sperm
of
conspecifics.
Whether
such
mechanisms
for
biasing
paternity
toward
conspecifics
act
as
important
reproductive
barriers
in
socially
monogamous
vertebrate
species
remains
be
determined.
We
use
a
combination
long‐term
breeding
records
from
natural
hybrid
zone
between
collared
pied
flycatchers
(Ficedula
albicollis
F.
hypoleuca),
an
vitro
experiment
comparing
conspecific
heterospecific
performance
female
tract
fluid,
evaluate
the
potential
significance
cryptic
choice.
show
that
females
most
at
risk
hybridizing
(pied
flycatchers)
frequently
copulate
able
inhibit
performance.
The
negative
effect
on
was
strongest
flycatcher
were
likely
have
been
previously
exposed
sperm.
thus
demonstrate
barrier
acts
after
copulation
before
fertilization
vertebrate.
While
evolutionary
history
this
unknown,
our
results
imply
there
opportunity
it
accentuated
via
reinforcement‐like
process.
Molecular Biology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
37(2), P. 488 - 506
Published: Oct. 29, 2019
Seminal
fluid
proteins
(SFPs)
mediate
an
array
of
postmating
reproductive
processes
that
influence
fertilization
and
fertility.
As
such,
it
is
widely
held
SFPs
may
contribute
to
postmating,
prezygotic
barriers
between
closely
related
taxa.
We
investigated
seminal
(SF)
diversification
in
a
recently
diverged
passerine
species
pair
(Passer
domesticus
Passer
hispaniolensis)
using
combination
proteomic
comparative
evolutionary
genomic
approaches.
First,
we
characterized
compared
the
SF
proteome
two
species,
revealing
consistencies
with
known
aspects
SFP
biology
function
other
taxa,
including
presence
involved
immunity
sperm
maturation.
Second,
whole-genome
resequencing
data,
assessed
patterns
differentiation
house
Spanish
sparrows.
These
analyses
detected
divergent
selection
on
immunity-related
genes
positive
selective
sweeps
regions
containing
number
also
exhibited
protein
abundance
species.
Finally,
analyzed
molecular
evolution
across
11
found
significantly
higher
rate
rest
genome,
as
well
significant
enrichments
for
functional
pathways
set
positively
selected
genes.
Our
results
suggest
important
determinant
composition
evolution.
Assessing
role
speciation
taxa
should
be
prioritized
given
potential
incompatibilities
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
16(10), P. a041429 - a041429
Published: Dec. 27, 2023
How
barriers
to
gene
flow
arise
and
are
maintained
key
questions
in
evolutionary
biology.
Speciation
research
has
mainly
focused
on
that
occur
either
before
mating
or
after
zygote
formation.
In
comparison,
postmating
prezygotic
(PMPZ)
isolation-a
barrier
acts
gamete
release
but
formation-is
less
frequently
investigated
may
hold
a
unique
role
generating
biodiversity.
Here
we
discuss
the
distinctive
features
of
PMPZ
isolation,
including
primary
drivers
molecular
mechanisms
underpinning
isolation.
We
then
present
first
comprehensive
survey
isolation
research,
revealing
it
is
widespread
form
across
eukaryotes.
The
also
exposes
obstacles
studying
part
attributable
challenges
involved
directly
measuring
uncovering
its
causal
mechanisms.
Finally,
identify
outstanding
knowledge
gaps
provide
recommendations
for
improving
future
This
will
allow
us
better
understand
nature
this
often-neglected
reproductive
contribution
speciation.
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.
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.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Dec. 24, 2022
Abstract
Divergence
in
sperm
phenotype
and
female
reproductive
environment
may
be
a
common
source
of
postmating
prezygotic
(PMPZ)
isolation
between
species.
However,
compared
to
other
barriers
it
has
received
much
less
attention.
In
this
study,
we
examined
morphology
velocity
two
hybridizing
passerine
species,
the
nightingale
(
Luscinia
megarhynchos
)
thrush
L.
luscinia
).
addition,
for
first
time
characterized
tract
fluid
proteome.
We
demonstrate
that
spermatozoa
have
significantly
longer
wider
midpiece
(proximal
part
flagellum
containing
mitochondria)
tail
nightingale.
On
hand,
they
shorter
narrower
acrosome.
Importantly,
these
differences
did
not
any
effect
on
velocity.
Furthermore,
from
females
differentially
affect
conspecific
heterospecific
sperm.
Our
results
indicate
observed
changes
acrosome
size
are
unlikely
contribute
PMPZ
through
differential
tract.
could
postcopulatory
processes,
which
might
involved
isolation,
such
as
storage,
longevity
or
sperm-egg
interaction.