The influence of ecological variation on mechanisms of sexual selection and mating system structure

交配系统通常被描述为基于一个或几个种群的物种特征。然而，相当大的种内交配系统结构的差异，可以驱动种群内和种群之间的生态条件的变化。在动物中，交配系统结构是由性选择机制之间的相互作用产生的，包括竞争和配偶选择，以及两性之间关于交配机会和比率的冲突。例如，可用配偶在空间和时间上的分布会影响它们被独占的程度。交配分布的种群间和种群内差异可能对用于获得它们的不同机制的成功产生重大影响，这可能导致性选择性状的种内变异。本研究旨在了解生态条件的差异如何导致生殖成功分布的变化，不同的性选择机制在个体和配子水平上的相对影响，以及性选择特征的进化。为此，这项工作将结合联合收割机在加拿大东部的鲑科鱼类的实地研究与实验室实验，使用小淡水鱼属Oryzias。在这项研究计划的过程中，四名研究生和六名本科生将接受培训，在现场或实验技术相关的鱼类行为和收集，亲子关系的分子分析，和生物数据的统计分析。研究生和荣誉学生也将接受培训，准备出版的手稿。总的来说，这项研究将有助于我们了解交配系统和性选择性状的进化，并将提供一个新的视角，在种群内和种群之间的选择变异的后果。

Mating systems are often described as a characteristic of a species based on one or a few populations. However, considerable intraspecific differences in mating system structure can be driven by variation in ecological conditions within and among populations. In animals, mating system structure results from the interplay among mechanisms of sexual selection, including competition and mate choice, as well as conflict between the sexes over mating opportunities and rates. For example, the distribution of available mates across space and time influences the degree to which they can be monopolized. Inter- and intra-population differences in mate distribution can have a significant effect on the success of different mechanisms used to obtain them, which can lead to intraspecific variation in sexually-selected traits. This research seeks to understand how differences in ecological conditions can result in changes in the distribution of reproductive success, the relative influence of different mechanisms of sexual selection at both the individual and gamete levels, and the evolution of sexually-selected traits. To this end, this work will combine field research in salmonid fishes in Eastern Canada with laboratory experiments using small freshwater fish from the genus Oryzias. During the course of this research programme, four graduate students and six undergraduate students will receive training in field or experimental techniques related to fish behaviour and collection, molecular analysis of parentage, and statistical analysis of biological data. Graduate students and Honours students will also receive training in the preparation of manuscripts for publication. As a whole, this research will contribute to our understanding of the evolution of mating systems and sexually-selected traits, and will provide a new perspective on the consequence of variation in selection within and among populations.