Open AccessTesting ontogenetic patterns of sexual size dimorphism against expectations of the expensive tissue hypothesis, an intraspecific example using oyster toadfish ( Opsanus tau )
Author(s) -
Dornburg Alex,
Warren Dan L.,
Zapfe Katerina L.,
Morris Richard,
Iglesias Teresa L.,
Lamb April,
Hogue Gabriela,
Lukas Laura,
Wong Richard
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.3835
Subject(s) - sexual dimorphism , ontogeny , biology , intraspecific competition , toadfish , sexual selection , trait , allometry , investment (military) , evolutionary biology , zoology , ecology , fishery , computer science , political science , law , programming language , genetics , politics , fish <actinopterygii>
Trade‐offs associated with sexual size dimorphism ( SSD ) are well documented across the Tree of Life. However, studies of SSD often do not consider potential investment trade‐offs between metabolically expensive structures under sexual selection and other morphological modules. Based on the expectations of the expensive tissue hypothesis, investment in one metabolically expensive structure should come at the direct cost of investment in another. Here, we examine allometric trends in the ontogeny of oyster toadfish ( Opsanus tau ) to test whether investment in structures known to have been influenced by strong sexual selection conform to these expectations. Despite recovering clear changes in the ontogeny of a sexually selected trait between males and females, we find no evidence for predicted ontogenetic trade‐offs with metabolically expensive organs. Our results are part of a growing body of work demonstrating that increased investment in one structure does not necessarily drive a wholesale loss of mass in one or more organs.