z-logo
Premium
How to quantify (the response to) sexual selection on traits
Author(s) -
Henshaw Jonathan M.,
Jennions Michael D.,
Kruuk Loeske E. B.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/evo.13554
Subject(s) - biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , sexual selection , path analysis (statistics) , mating , evolutionary biology , reproductive success , natural selection , mate choice , assortative mating , disruptive selection , statistics , ecology , population , computer science , demography , mathematics , machine learning , sociology
Abstract Natural selection operates via fitness components like mating success, fecundity, and longevity, which can be understood as intermediaries in the causal process linking traits to fitness. In particular, sexual selection occurs when traits influence mating or fertilization success, which, in turn, influences fitness. We show how to quantify both these steps in a single path analysis, leading to better estimates of the strength of sexual selection. Our model controls for confounding variables, such as body size or condition, when estimating the relationship between mating and reproductive success. Correspondingly, we define the Bateman gradient and the Jones index using partial rather than simple regressions, which better captures how they are commonly interpreted. The model can be applied both to purely phenotypic data and to quantitative genetic parameters estimated using information on relatedness. The phenotypic approach breaks down selection differentials into a sexually selected and a “remainder” component. The quantitative genetic approach decomposes the estimated evolutionary response to selection analogously. We apply our method to analyze sexual selection in male dusky pipefish, Syngnathus floridae , and in two simulated datasets. We highlight conceptual and statistical limitations of previous path‐based approaches, which can lead to substantial misestimation of sexual selection.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here