Genetic analysis of variation in female preference functions and the consequences for sexual selection

女性偏好函数变异的遗传分析及其对性选择的影响

• 批准号: 402376-2011
• 负责人: Long, Tristan
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: Wilfrid Laurier University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=488039
• 关键词: Genetic; analysis; variation; female; preference

Sexual selection arises from variation in individual reproductive success that is non-randomly associated with the characteristics of traits or behaviours exhibited by members of the same sex and species. It is brought about by "intrasexual" competition for matings and fertilizations (usually among males) and "intersexual" mate choice, (usually exerted by females). The latter process is thought to be central to the evolution of elaborate morphological, behavioural and physiological traits in males that might otherwise seem to be maladaptive, and the co-evolution of preferences for such exaggerated traits in females. For female preferences to change over time, there must be heritable genetic variation for preference genes, but as it stands we know very little about the genetic basis of mate choice, the extent of genetic and environmentally-induced variation in mate choice, and whether differences in mate preferences are adaptive or not. The proposed research is designed to address this dearth of information on a subject that is of great importance in assessing much of the theory concerning processes of sexual selection and speciation.

性选择产生于个体生殖成功的差异，这种差异与同性和物种成员所表现出的特征或行为特征非随机相关。它是由交配和受精的“性内”竞争(通常在男性之间)和“中间性”的配偶选择(通常由女性施加)造成的。后一个过程被认为是男性精细的形态、行为和生理特征的进化的中心，否则这些特征可能看起来不适应，以及女性对这些夸张特征的偏好的共同进化。为了让女性的偏好随着时间的推移而改变，偏好基因必须有可遗传的遗传变异，但就目前而言，我们对配偶选择的遗传基础、遗传和环境诱导的配偶选择变异的程度以及配偶偏好的差异是否具有适应性知之甚少。这项拟议的研究旨在解决这一问题上的信息匮乏问题，而这一问题对于评估有关性别选择和物种形成过程的许多理论非常重要。