Assessing the alignment of sexual and natural selection using radiomutagenized seed beetles

Power, D. J.; Holman, Luke

Abstract

A major unsolved question in evolutionary biology concerns the relationship between natural and sexual selection. Sexual selection might augment natural selection, for example if mutations that harm female fecundity also reduce male mating success. Conversely, sexual selection might favour traits that impair naturally selected fitness components. We induced detrimental mutations in Callosobruchus maculatus beetles using X‐ray irradiation and then experimentally measured the effect of precopulatory sexual selection on offspring number and survival rate. Sexual selection treatment had a negative effect on egg‐to‐adult survivorship, although the number of progeny reaching adulthood was unaffected, perhaps because eggs and juveniles that failed to develop lessened competition on the survivors. We hypothesize that the negative effect of sexual selection arose because sexually competitive males transmitted a smaller nuptial gift or carried alleles that conferred reduced survival. Although we found no evidence that sexual selection on males can purge alleles that are detrimental to naturally selected fitness components, such benefits might exist in other environmental or genetic contexts.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 18, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Evolutionary Biology
• Print ISSN: 1010-061X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1039-1048
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.12625
• Keywords: good genes, inbreeding depression, mutagenesis, radiation, sexual conflict, sperm competition
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2722847