Open AccessExaggerated evolution of male armaments via male–male competition
Author(s) -
ArejaGavina Maica Krizna D.,
Torres Monica C.,
Gamilla Gimelle B.,
Sakaguchi Tomohiko,
Ito Hiromu,
Rabajante Jomar F.,
Tubay Jerrold M.,
Yoshimura Jin,
Morita Satoru
Publication year - 2021
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/ece3.7546
Subject(s) - competition (biology) , sexual selection , biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , scramble competition , adult male , offspring , experimental evolution , zoology , ecology , artificial intelligence , computer science , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics , gene , endocrinology
Males usually compete to gain access to prospective mates. Through this male–male competition, superior males have a higher chance of passing on their traits to the next generation of male offspring. One category of male traits is armaments, which are weapons used during competition, for example, the chelae of fiddler crabs and the antlers of deer. One consequence of intrasexual selection is the exaggerated evolution of armaments, which can be limited by trade‐offs, such as trade‐offs with male body size. Here, we formulate a game‐theoretic sexual selection model to explore the exaggerated evolution of armaments through male–male competition. The model is used to determine how competition affects the evolution of an armament that is subject to trade‐offs. Our simulation can be used to support the exaggerated evolution hypothesis, that is, male–male competition escalates the rate of evolution of armaments.