Resolving the climatic and ecological drivers of geographical gradients in avian sexual selection

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 2, 2023

Abstract Sexual selection, one of the central pillars evolutionary theory, has powerful effects on organismal morphology, behaviour and population dynamics. However, current knowledge about geographical variation in this mechanism its underlying drivers remains highly incomplete, part because standardized data strength sexual selection is sparse even for well-studied organisms. Here we use information mating systems – including incidence polygamy extra-pair paternity to quantify intensity 10671 (>99.9%) bird species distributed worldwide. We show that avian varies latitudinally, peaking at higher latitudes, although gradient reversed world’s most sexually selected birds specialist frugivores which are strongly associated with tropical forests. Phylogenetic models further reveal explained by temperature seasonality coupled a suite climate-associated factors, migration, diet, territoriality. Overall, these analyses suggest climatic conditions leading short, intense breeding seasons, or abundant patchy food resources, increase potential birds, driving latitudinal gradients selection. Our findings help resolve longstanding debates spatial mechanisms linked reproductive biology, provide comprehensive species-level dataset studies phenotypic evolution context global change.

Language: Английский

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Resolving the climatic and ecological drivers of geographical gradients in avian sexual selection

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 15, 2023

Sexual selection, one of the central pillars evolutionary theory, has powerful effects on organismal morphology, behaviour and population dynamics. However, current knowledge about geographical variation in this mechanism its underlying drivers remains highly incomplete, part because standardized data strength sexual selection is sparse even for well-studied organisms. Here we use information mating systems – including incidence polygamy extra-pair paternity to quantify intensity 10671 (> 99.9%) bird species distributed worldwide. We show that avian varies latitudinally, peaking at higher latitudes, although gradient reversed world’s most sexually selected birds specialist frugivores which are strongly associated with tropical forests. Phylogenetic models further reveal explained by temperature seasonality coupled a suite climate-associated factors, migration, diet, territoriality. Overall, these analyses suggest climatic conditions leading short, intense breeding seasons, or abundant patchy food resources, increase potential birds, driving latitudinal gradients selection. Our findings help resolve longstanding debates spatial mechanisms linked reproductive biology, provide comprehensive species-level dataset studies phenotypic evolution context global change.

Language: Английский

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Sperm length evolution in relation to body mass is shaped by multiple trade-offs in tetrapods

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 15, 2023

Abstract Sperm size is highly variable across species and influenced by various factors including fertilization mode, female reproductive traits sperm competition. Despite considerable efforts, many questions about variation remain open. Variation in body may affect evolution through its influence on these factors, but the extent to which linked mass remains elusive. In this study, we use general theory of Pareto Optimality investigate relationship between tetrapods. We find that tetrapods fall within a triangular-shaped front trait space length suggesting relation shaped trade-offs. then explore three main predicted evolution, namely competition, clutch genome size. Our results demonstrate optimally shapes mainly association with competition Finally, show maintained when tested separately mammals, birds, endothermic internal fertilizers, similar evolutionary trade-offs characterize taxonomic/phylogenetic functional subgroups This study provides insights into mechanisms driving interspecific highlights importance considering multiple optimizing traits.

Language: Английский

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Polyandry is extremely rare in the firefly squid,Watasenia scintillans

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 13, 2019

Abstract Although polygamy has versatile benefits for both sexes, many species favor monogamy reasons with the clarity or unclarity. In cephalopods, all are regarded to be polygamous, which could attributed their common life-history traits. Contrary this prediction, we show empirical evidence in firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans . The peak spawning season comes after male disappearance owning long-reserved spermatangia deposited by at exact locations (bilateral pouches under neck collar) on female a symmetric distribution. Such non-random placement of prompted us hypothesize that females engage lifetime monoandry. Hence assigned genotypes female-stored and offspring. We found 94.7 % females, were delivered from single embryos same egg string sired sperm stored spermatangia. Throughout season, relative testes mass was much smaller W. than other cephalopods previously examined. mean number male-stored spermatophores approximately 30, equivalent 2.5 mates. Our demographic morphometrical data agree prediction monogyny is favored when potential mates scarce such as absence remating. Together, these results suggest likelihood mutual monogamy.

Language: Английский

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Low sperm to egg ratio required for successful in vitro fertilisation in a pair-spawning teleost, Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 27, 2020

Abstract Cultured Senegalese sole ( Solea senegalensis ) breeders fail to spawn fertilised eggs and this bottleneck could be solved with the implementation of large-scale in vitro fertilisation protocols. However, low production poor-quality sperm has frustrated development females were induced ovulate a 5 µg kg -1 single injection gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) good quality (82.6 ± 9.2% fertilisation) stripped 41:57 1:46 h after injection. Sperm was collected from cultured males, diluted modified Leibovitz used fresh fertilise eggs. A non-linear regression, an exponential rise maximum (R = 0.93, P < 0.0001) described number motile spermatozoa required viable egg 1617 sufficient 99 12% (± 95% CI) Similar, ratios 592 611 fertilisations 190,512 38,471 The male (145 50 µL or 8.0 6.8 × 10 8 spermatozoa) mean hatching rate 70 14 % provide 131,540 34,448 larvae per fertilisation. When unfertilised stored at room temperature percentage decreased gradually indicated sooner stripping higher viability collection directly into syringe containing significantly increased (33.4 12.2 %) compared dilution immediately (6.6 4.9 %). have pair-spawning reproductive behaviour characterised by external gamete close proximity no competition. ratio for consistent strategy. provision protocol (200 100 mL eggs) will enable industry operate sustainably implement breeding programs improve production.

Language: Английский

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