Adult fitness consequences of sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster. 1998

D E Promislow, and E A Smith, and L Pearse
Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7223, USA. promislo@arches.uga.edu

Few experiments have demonstrated a genetic correlation between the process of sexual selection and fitness benefits in offspring, either through female choice or male competition. Those that have looked at the relationship between female choice and offspring fitness have focused on juvenile fitness components, rather than fitness at later stages in the life cycle. In addition, many of these studies have not controlled for possible maternal effects. To test for a relationship between sexual selection and adult fitness, we carried out an artificial selection experiment in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. We created two treatments that varied in the level of opportunity for sexual selection. Increased opportunity for female choice and male competition was genetically correlated with an increase in adult survivorship, as well as an increase in male and female body size. Contrary to previous, single-generation studies, we did not find an increase in larval competitive ability. This study demonstrates that mate choice and/or male-male competition are correlated with an increase in at least one adult fitness component of offspring.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007814 Larva Wormlike or grublike stage, following the egg in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals. Maggots,Tadpoles,Larvae,Maggot,Tadpole
D008297 Male Males
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D005260 Female Females
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012641 Selection, Genetic Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population. Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural
D014921 Wings, Animal Movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which certain animals such as birds, bats, or insects are able to fly. Animal Wing,Animal Wings,Wing, Animal
D019849 Sex Determination Processes The mechanisms by which the SEX of an individual's GONADS are fixed. Sex Determination Genetics,Protandry,Protogyny,Sex Determination Genetic Processes,Sex Determination Process,Determination Process, Sex,Determination Processes, Sex,Genetics, Sex Determination,Process, Sex Determination,Processes, Sex Determination

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