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的特征。然而，种群内和种群间生态条件的差异可能会导致交配系统结构的相当大的种内差异。在动物中，交配系统结构是性别选择机制相互作用的结果，包括竞争和配偶选择，以及性别之间关于交配机会和交配比率的冲突。例如，可用配偶在空间和时间上的分布会影响它们被垄断的程度。种群间和种群内配偶分布的差异可能对获得配偶的不同机制的成功产生重大影响，这可能导致性选择特征的种内差异。这项研究试图了解生态条件的差异如何导致繁殖成功分布的变化，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，这项工作将结合对加拿大东部鲑鱼的实地研究和使用Oryzias属小型淡水鱼的实验室实验。在这项研究方案的过程中，四名研究生和六名本科生将接受与鱼类行为和采集、亲子关系分子分析和生物数据统计分析有关的实地或实验技术培训。研究生和优等生还将接受准备出版手稿的培训。作为一个整体，这项研究将有助于我们理解交配系统和性选择性状的进化，并将为研究种群内和种群间选择变异的后果提供一个新的视角。

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.