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Genotype × environment interaction for male attractiveness in an acoustic moth: evidence for plasticity and canalization
Author(s) -
DANIELSONFRANÇOIS A. M.,
KELLY J. K.,
GREENFIELD M. D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2005.01006.x
Subject(s) - biology , attractiveness , pleiotropy , phenotypic plasticity , evolutionary biology , mate choice , mating preferences , genetic variation , sexual selection , population , gene–environment interaction , natural selection , fluctuating asymmetry , genotype , genetics , mating , phenotype , demography , psychology , sociology , psychoanalysis , gene
The lek paradox arises when choosy females deplete the genetic variance for male display traits from a population, yet substantial additive genetic variation ( V A ) in male traits persists. Thus, the lek paradox can be more generally stated as one of the most fundamental evolutionary questions: What maintains genetic variation in natural populations? One solution to this problem may be found in the condition‐dependent nature of many sexually selected traits. Genotype × environment (G × E) interactions can maintain V A under conditions of environmental heterogeneity provided certain restrictions are met, although antagonistic pleiotropy has also been proposed as a mechanism. Here, we provide evidence for G × E interactions and against the role of antagonistic pleiotropy in the maintenance of V A for sexually selected traits. Using inbred lines of the lesser waxmoth Achroia grisella , we measured V A for song attractiveness, condition and development rate under different competitive environments and found that genotypes differed in their plasticity. We argue that variation persists in natural populations because G × E interactions prevent any one variant from producing the optimal phenotype across all environments.