Open AccessSexually antagonistic coevolution between the sex chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Katrine K. Lund-Hansen,
Colin Olito,
Edward H. Morrow,
Jessica K. Abbott
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2003359118
Subject(s) - biology , drosophila melanogaster , coevolution , sexual conflict , evolutionary biology , population , evolution of sexual reproduction , genetics , genetic algorithm , melanogaster , experimental evolution , offspring , antagonistic coevolution , gene , sexual selection , demography , pregnancy , sociology
Significance Sex chromosomes are not only involved in genetic sex determination—they are also important factors in sexual conflict and speciation. Using laboratory experiments and population genetic modeling, we show that the sex chromosomes ofDrosophila melanogaster can coevolve antagonistically. We found that swapping sex chromosomes between fiveD. melanogaster populations increased male fitness, apparently at the cost of reduced offspring survival. After 25 generations, these fitness effects had disappeared, consistent with the resolution of conflict after disrupting antagonistically coevolved X- and Y-linked genes. Our population genetic models show that antagonistic coevolution between sex chromosomes is a biologically plausible explanation for our empirical findings. Together, our empirical and theoretical results provide support for a potential path to speciation through sexual conflict.