Genital Evolution: Why Are Females Still Understudied?

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 12(5), P. e1001851 - e1001851

Published: May 6, 2014

In many animal groups genital structures appear to have evolved extremely rapidly, prompting enduring interest in why this is so. Throughout literature there remains a bias towards studying male genitalia; here we examine the extent of that and its possible causes.

Language: Английский

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Sexual Selection and Static Allometry: The Importance of Function

The Quarterly Review of Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 93(3), P. 207 - 250

Published: Aug. 9, 2018

Many spectacular cases of biological diversity are associated with sexual selection, and structures under selection often show positive static allometry: they disproportionately large for the size animal's body in larger individuals. Other sexually selected structures, however, negative allometry or isometry. Theory fails to account this variation recent summaries do not agree regarding frequency structures. We propose explanations why different functions (courtship, threat signals, weapons) should differ allometry. Positive is predicted (including most because individuals tend win fights signals used avoid unwinnable opponents, reproductive payoffs contests be higher males, discriminating sizes relatively traits requires greater absolute differences due Weber's Law sensory physiology. Male courtship contrast, convey many types information, much which consistently related male size, so expected less often. tested these predictions empirically by comparing allometries "pure" functions. Our were confirmed, thus helping explain previous empirical surveys.

Language: Английский

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Mechanisms and Evidence of Genital Coevolution: The Roles of Natural Selection, Mate Choice, and Sexual Conflict

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 7(7), P. a017749 - a017749

Published: July 1, 2015

Patricia L.R. Brennan1,2 and Richard O. Prum3 1Departments of Psychology Biology, University Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 2Organismic Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, 3Department Ecology Peabody Museum Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 Correspondence: pbrennan{at}cns.umass.edu

Language: Английский

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A monographic revision of the Neotropical dung beetle genus Sylvicanthon Halffter & Martínez, 1977 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini), including a reappraisal of the taxonomic history of ‘Canthon sensu lato’

European Journal of Taxonomy, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 467

Published: Oct. 16, 2018

Although extensively studied by different authors over the past 150 years, taxonomy of Canthon Hoffmannsegg, 1817 and allied genera (which are here informally referred to as ‘Canthon sensu lato’) still remains problematic. With aim resolving some questions surrounding these taxa, present work reviews one them, genus Sylvicanthon Halffter & Martínez, 1977. As defined here, is distributed mainly throughout vast areas tropical rainforests in Neotropical region includes 15 species divided into two groups: enkerlini group, with a single species, S. (Martínez et al., 1964) comb. nov., candezei five subgroups: subgroup, (Harold, 1869), genieri sp. nov. foveiventris (Schmidt, 1920); aequinoctialis 1868) proseni (Martínez, 1949) stat. nov.; bridarollii 1949), seag edmondsi attenboroughi furvus 1920), monnei mayri obscurus securus 1920) Three originally included (re)transferred Canthon: xanthopus Blanchard, 1846 C. machadoi Pereira, 1967) well cobosi (Pereira 1960) which had been previously synonymy under xanthopus. Descriptions, redescriptions, illustrations comparative tables on external morphology (including genital capsule) its presented, detailed discussion their biogeography, morphology, hypotheses phylogenetic relationships, data natural history historical revision classification lato’. Finally, we also discuss so-called ‘species problem’ (i.e., definition scientific term ‘species’) consequences dung beetle favour solution offered Biological Species Concept.

Language: Английский

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The definition of sexual selection

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 781 - 794

Published: May 11, 2021

Sexual selection is a key component of evolutionary biology. However, from the very formulation sexual by Darwin, nature and extent have been controversial. Recently, such controversy has led back to fundamental question just what is. This included how we incorporate female-female reproductive competition into or natural selection. In this review, do four things. First, examine want definition do. Second, define selection:

Language: Английский

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Copulatory Mechanics Reveals a Self‐Bracing Mechanism via a Femoral Apophysis in Funnel Weavers (Araneae, Agelenidae)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Spiders utilize an indirect method of sperm transfer via specialized male palpal structures. In entelegyne spiders, these structures exhibit a remarkable complexity, comprising various sclerites that interlock with the female genitalia to provide stability and facilitate transfer. Among four primary coupling mechanisms recognized in one, termed self‐bracing, involves interactions between stabilizing expanded copulatory organ during mating. Such can involve elements are not part organ. The retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA), characteristic largest group spiders (RTA clade), is most prominent structure for this purpose. However, recent research has demonstrated have lost RTA, other parts palp, specifically femoral apophyses, be involved self‐bracing. presence fapophysis uncommon only few taxa possess apophyses on multiple articles, i.e., tibia femur, interaction evolution which remain elucidated. This study investigated function different first time using funnel weaver Anatextrix monstrabilis (Agelenidae). We examined hypothesis self‐bracing despite RTA. Micro‐computed tomography data cryofixed mating pair revealed at least one functions by fitting into groove embolic base, representing second documented case unique mechanism spiders. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy previously undocumented features , including epigynal fovea, anterior hood, well‐developed lateral margins, potentially play role interlocking copulation. contrast ghost (Anyphaenidae), known exhibiting species demonstrate notable differences regard size shape apophyses. Thus, our indicates structures, do contact genital coupling, subject strong selection pressures similar somatic beyond basic

Language: Английский

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Comparative morphology of the endophallic structures of the genus Laius (Coleoptera, Melyridae), with the descriptions of three new species

European Journal of Taxonomy, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 97

Published: Sept. 25, 2014

The endophallic structure of the genus Laius is studied and discussed based on examination 19 species from Asia to Indian Ocean. contains two primary sclerites (named gonoporal piece ligula), a secondary sclerite basal part additional sclerite) in some species, membranous area closely covered with many spines spinous area). Five groups are recognized morphology sclerites. sympatric have different body sizes quite distinguishable (= group), while allopatric overlapping similar same group). Three new described six previously known redescribed sclerites, descriptions remaining ten added. larva rodriguesensis sp. nov. also described. Nossibeus Evers, 1994 synonymised Guérin-Méneville, 1830.

Language: Английский

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Developmental environment mediates male seminal protein investment in Drosophila melanogaster

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 30(3), P. 410 - 419

Published: July 15, 2015

Summary Males of many species fine‐tune their ejaculates in response to sperm competition risk. Resource availability and the number competitors during development can also strongly influence production. However, despite key role seminal proteins mediating reproductive processes, it is unclear whether protein investment dependent on developmental environment. We manipulated environment Drosophila melanogaster by rearing flies at low high density. As expected, this resulted large small (i.e. condition) adult phenotypes, respectively. predicted, males produced more two proteins, sex peptide (SP) ovulin, were successful obtaining matings with both virgin previously mated females. there was only a weak non‐significant trend for transfer absolute quantities SP mating, thus, ejaculated proportionally stored accessory gland resources. transferred receptivity‐inhibiting Despite this, females remated quickly than thus responded over above quantity they received. The results are consistent non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses. First, might respond condition‐dependent opportunities, (i) investing heavily when mating opportunities arise strategically partitioning resources (ii) remating reduced rates because have higher costs or need replenish less often. Second, may be primed larval deal similar population densities, perceiving density as signalling increased competition, leading invest abundant potential mates, sexual receptivity threshold. Thus, influencing frequencies sexes, well received females, likely far‐reaching sex‐specific consequences selection conflict.

Language: Английский

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On the evolution of extreme structures: static scaling and the function of sexually selected signals

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 144, P. 95 - 108

Published: Sept. 18, 2018

Language: Английский

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The evolution of female genitalia

Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 32(9), P. 882 - 899

Published: July 3, 2019

Female genitalia have been largely neglected in studies of genital evolution, perhaps due to the long-standing belief that they are relatively invariable and therefore taxonomically evolutionarily uninformative comparison with male genitalia. Contemporary evolution begun dispute this view, demonstrate female can be highly diverse covary males. Here, we examine evidence for three mechanisms females: species isolating 'lock-and-key' cryptic choice sexual conflict. Lock-and-key has thought unimportant; however, present cases show how isolation may well play a role Much support via conflict comes from both invertebrate vertebrate species; effects difficult distinguish models focus on putative benefits females. We offer potential solutions alleviate issue. Finally, directions future order expand refine our knowledge surrounding evolution.

Language: Английский

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