
Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown
Published: Oct. 14, 2024
ABSTRACT Species lacking distinct secondary sex characteristics, such as differences in size or morphology, are often thought to experience lower levels of sex‐specific selection comparison highly sexually dimorphic organisms. However, monomorphism classic visible traits could be a result genetic physiological constraints that prevent the sexes from reaching divergent fitness optima. Additionally, biochemical and molecular work have revealed variety less easily observed phenotypes nonetheless exhibit profound dimorphism. Sex‐specific act on these more subtle, visible, traits. We investigate polygynandrous dusky pipefish ( Syngnathus floridae ), which lacks sexual characteristics size, colour morphological Using experimental breeding populations, we although males females similar opportunities for selection, only significant pressures body size. also investigated patterns sex‐biased gene expression gonads, livers gills, tested whether genes with between likely tissue‐specific, therefore relieved constraints. Sex bias was widespread, reproductive organs had most genes. gills primarily related immune response, whereas liver gonads wide cellular processes, well proteins, showing expression. These showed higher organ‐specificity their patterns, suggesting pleiotropic might historically impacted evolution patterns. Altogether, find evidence ongoing historical pipefish.
Language: Английский