Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
2,160
result(s) for
"mating preference"
Sort by:
The evolution of beauty : how Darwin's forgotten theory of mate choice shapes the animal world -- and us
What can explain the incredible diversity of beauty in nature? Richard O. Prum, an award-winning ornithologist, discusses Charles Darwin's second and long-neglected theory--aesthetic mate choice--and what it means for our understanding of evolution. In addition, Prum connects those same evolutionary dynamics to the origins and diversity of human sexuality, offering riveting new thinking about the evolution of human beauty and the role of mate choice, thereby transforming our ancestors from typical infanticidal primates into socially intelligent, pair-bonding caregivers. Prum's book is an exhilarating tour de force that begins in the trees and ends by fundamentally challenging how we understand human evolution and ourselves. -- adapted from dust jacket.
Book
Mechanisms of Assortative Mating in Speciation with Gene Flow
The large body of theory on speciation with gene flow has brought to light fundamental differences in the effects of two types of mating rules on speciation: preference/trait rules, in which divergence in both (female) preferences and (male) mating traits is necessary for assortment, and matching rules, in which individuals mate with like individuals on the basis of the presence of traits or alleles that they have in common. These rules can emerge from a variety of behavioral or other mechanisms in ways that are not always obvious. We discuss the theoretical properties of both types of rules and explain why speciation is generally thought to be more likely under matching rather than preference/trait rules. We furthermore discuss whether specific assortative mating mechanisms fall under a preference/trait or matching rule, present empirical evidence for these mechanisms, and propose empirical tests that could distinguish between them. The synthesis of the theoretical literature on these assortative mating rules with empirical studies of the mechanisms by which they act can provide important insights into the occurrence of speciation with gene flow. Finally, by providing a clear framework we hope to inspire greater alignment in the ways that both theoreticians and empiricists study mating rules and how these rules affect speciation through maintaining or eroding barriers to gene flow among closely related species or populations.
Journal Article
bric à brac controls sex pheromone choice by male European corn borer moths
The sex pheromone system of ~160,000 moth species acts as a powerful form of assortative mating whereby females attract conspecific males with a species-specific blend of volatile compounds. Understanding how female pheromone production and male preference coevolve to produce this diversity requires knowledge of the genes underlying change in both traits. In the European corn borer moth, pheromone blend variation is controlled by two alleles of an autosomal fatty-acyl reductase gene expressed in the female pheromone gland (pgFAR). Here we show that asymmetric male preference is controlled by cis-acting variation in a sex-linked transcription factor expressed in the developing male antenna, bric à brac (bab). A genome-wide association study of preference using pheromone-trapped males implicates variation in the 293 kb bab intron 1, rather than the coding sequence. Linkage disequilibrium between bab intron 1 and pgFAR further validates bab as the preference locus, and demonstrates that the two genes interact to contribute to assortative mating. Thus, lack of physical linkage is not a constraint for coevolutionary divergence of female pheromone production and male behavioral response genes, in contrast to what is often predicted by evolutionary theory.
Journal Article
Specialized cells tag sexual and species identity in Drosophila melanogaster
Social interactions depend on individuals recognizing each other, and in this context many organisms use chemical signals to indicate species and sex. Cuticular hydrocarbon signals are used by insects, including Drosophila melanogaster, to distinguish conspecific individuals from others. These chemicals also contribute to intraspecific courtship and mating interactions. However, the possibility that sex and species identification are linked by common chemical signalling mechanisms has not been formally tested. Here we provide direct evidence that a single compound is used to communicate female identity among D. melanogaster, and to define a reproductive isolation barrier between D. melanogaster and sibling species. A transgenic manipulation eliminated cuticular hydrocarbons by ablating the oenocytes, specialized cells required for the expression of these chemical signals. The resulting oenocyte-less (oe-) females elicited the normal repertoire of courtship behaviours from males, but were actually preferred over wild-type females by courting males. In addition, wild-type males attempted to copulate with oe- males. Thus, flies lacking hydrocarbons are a sexual hyperstimulus. Treatment of virgin females with the aversive male pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA) significantly delayed mating of oe- females compared to wild-type females. This difference was eliminated when oe- females were treated with a blend of cVA and the female aphrodisiac (7Z,11Z)-heptacosadiene (7,11-HD), showing that female aphrodisiac compounds can attenuate the effects of male aversive pheromones. 7,11-HD also was shown to have a crucial role in heterospecific encounters. Specifically, the species barrier was lost because males of other Drosophila species courted oe- D. melanogaster females, and D. simulans males consistently mated with them. Treatment of oe- females with 7,11-HD restored the species barrier, showing that a single compound can confer species identity. These results identify a common mechanism for sexual and species recognition regulated by cuticular hydrocarbons.
Journal Article
A modular circuit coordinates the diversification of courtship strategies
Mate recognition systems evolve rapidly to reinforce the reproductive boundaries between species, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain enigmatic. Here we leveraged the rapid coevolution of female pheromone production and male pheromone perception in
Drosophila
1
,
2
to gain insight into how the architecture of mate recognition circuits facilitates their diversification. While in some
Drosophila
species females produce unique pheromones that act to arouse their conspecific males, the pheromones of most species are sexually monomorphic such that females possess no distinguishing chemosensory signatures that males can use for mate recognition
3
. We show that
Drosophila yakuba
males evolved the ability to use a sexually monomorphic pheromone, 7-tricosene, as an excitatory cue to promote courtship. By comparing key nodes in the pheromone circuits across multiple
Drosophila
species, we reveal that this sensory innovation arises from coordinated peripheral and central circuit adaptations: a distinct subpopulation of sensory neurons has acquired sensitivity to 7-tricosene and, in turn, selectively signals to a distinct subset of P1 neurons in the central brain to trigger courtship. Such a modular circuit organization, in which different sensory inputs can independently couple to parallel courtship control nodes, may facilitate the evolution of mate recognition systems by allowing novel sensory modalities to become linked to male arousal. Together, our findings suggest how peripheral and central circuit adaptations can be flexibly coordinated to underlie the rapid evolution of mate recognition strategies across species.
Peripheral and central circuit adaptations can be flexibly coordinated in
Drosophila
, and such a modular circuit organization may facilitate the evolution of mate recognition systems by allowing novel sensory modalities to become linked to male arousal.
Journal Article
Interactive effects of mating receptivity and courtship pheromones on the scent preferences of female red-legged salamanders
The behavioral and endocrine responses elicited by pheromones are highly dependent on the sex and physiology of the receiving individual. In the red-legged salamander ( Plethodon shermani ), male courtship pheromones influence female mating behavior and regulate the timing of courtship. Pheromones also modulate female feeding behavior and scent preference in this species, but little is known about how the physiological state of females may influence their olfactory preferences. The aim of this study was to use laboratory trials to investigate whether differences in female receptivity influence the effect pheromones have on female scent preference. Our first experiment showed that pheromone treatment significantly increased the time females spent on male-scented substrate compared to both female scent and water. In a second experiment, female P. shermani with differing levels of mating receptivity were treated with either saline or pheromone and assayed for the relative time spent on each of three scents (male scent, food scent, and water). When females were treated with saline, their preference for male scent was positively correlated with mating receptivity. Application of pheromone also increased preference for male scent, but this effect was greater in females with lower receptivity. Pheromone treatment also decreased preference for food scent and was significantly pronounced in females with higher receptivity. These results suggest that courtship pheromones in P. shermani may have dual roles in regulating female preferences based on baseline mating receptivity, further suggesting a complex interplay between male courtship pheromones and female preference dynamics.
Journal Article
Speciation through sensory drive in cichlid fish
Theoretically, divergent selection on sensory systems can cause speciation through sensory drive. However, empirical evidence is rare and incomplete. Here we demonstrate sensory drive speciation within island populations of cichlid fish. We identify the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the cichlid visual system, demonstrate associated divergence in male colouration and female preferences, and show subsequent differentiation at neutral loci, indicating reproductive isolation. Evidence is replicated in several pairs of sympatric populations and species. Variation in the slope of the environmental gradients explains variation in the progress towards speciation: speciation occurs on all but the steepest gradients. This is the most complete demonstration so far of speciation through sensory drive without geographical isolation. Our results also provide a mechanistic explanation for the collapse of cichlid fish species diversity during the anthropogenic eutrophication of Lake Victoria.
Speciation in colour: a textbook example of evolution in action
The cichlid fish of African lakes are textbook examples of rapid speciation but the mechanisms involved remain elusive. Observations of the cichlids in Lake Victoria now demonstrate the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution of the visual system (seen as divergence of vision genes, male coloration and female preferences) leading to speciation by sensory drive through interacting natural and sexual selection. The sensory drive hypothesis predicts that divergent adaptation in sensory and signalling systems to different environments can cause premating isolation between populations. As well as providing clear evidence that speciation can occur through sensory drive without geographical isolation, this work provides a mechanistic explanation for the collapse of cichlid fish species diversity during the anthropogenic eutrophication of Lake Victoria.
This paper identifies the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the visual system of Lake Victoria cichlid fishes, leading to speciation through sensory drive without geographical isolation.
Journal Article
Someone like me: Size-assortative pairing and mating in an Amazonian fish, sailfin tetra Crenuchus spilurus
In the absence of constraints, preference for larger mates is expected to evolve, as larger individuals are typical of higher potential fitness. Large females are often more fecund and carry larger eggs (which result in higher number and better quality of offspring), whereas large males usually have more conspicuous ornaments and are better at defending resources. However, intrasexual competition can constrain the access to larger partners, especially when opportunities for mate takeover abound. Here we investigate the relationship between individual's size and mate choice in relation to one's own size and their respective mate's size using the sailfin tetra, a sexually dimorphic Amazonian fish species. We show that ornaments of larger males are exponentially more conspicuous, and larger females are more fecund and carry larger eggs. Contrary to expectation, neither males nor females associated for longer with the larger of two offered potential mates. Instead, individuals of both genders chose opposite-sex individuals of similar sizes to themselves. Additionally, similar-sized pairs were more likely to spawn than couples with higher size asymmetries. Grounded on field observations, we propose that prudent choice should be particularly important in this system, since courtship is long (often taking several days), which offers opportunities for mate takeover. Intrasexual competition, however, cannot readily explain female choice for similar-sized males. We thus suggest that such preference might be best explained by avoidance of filial cannibalism.
Journal Article
Contribution of individual olfactory receptors to odor-induced attractive or aversive behavior in mice
Odorants are recognized by multiple olfactory receptors (ORs) and induce innate behaviors like attraction or aversion via olfactory system in mice. However, a role of an individual OR is unclear. Muscone is recognized by a few ORs including MOR215–1 and MOR214–3, and attracts male mice. Odor preference tests using MOR215–1 knockout mice revealed that MOR215–1 and other OR(s), possibly including MOR214–3, are involved in the attraction. (Z)-5-tetradecen-1-ol (Z5–14:OH) activates ~3 ORs, including Olfr288, and evokes attraction at low levels but aversion at higher levels. Olfr288 knockout mice show no attraction but aversion, suggesting Olfr288 is involved in preference for Z5–14:OH, whereas activation of other low-affinity Z5–14:OH receptors evokes aversion. Each OR appears to send a signal to a neural circuit that possesses distinct valence, leading to a certain behavior. The final output behavior with multiple ORs stimulation is determined by summation (addition or competition) of valences coded by activated ORs.
Recent evidence suggests that some olfactory receptor types (OR) may be indispensable to elicit certain innate odor-evoked behaviors. Here, the authors report that eliminating a single OR from the odor-activated ensemble leads to significant changes in odor perception and the evoked behavioral response.
Journal Article
The scale-of-choice effect and how estimates of assortative mating in the wild can be biased due to heterogeneous samples
The mode in which sexual organisms choose mates is a key evolutionary process, as it can have a profound impact on fitness and speciation. One way to study mate choice in the wild is by measuring trait correlation between mates. Positive assortative mating is inferred when individuals of a mating pair display traits that are more similar than those expected under random mating while negative assortative mating is the opposite. A recent review of 1134 trait correlations found that positive estimates of assortative mating were more frequent and larger in magnitude than negative estimates. Here, we describe the scale-of-choice effect (SCE), which occurs when mate choice exists at a smaller scale than that of the investigator's sampling, while simultaneously the trait is heterogeneously distributed at the true scale-of-choice. We demonstrate the SCE by Monte Carlo simulations and estimate it in two organisms showing positive (Littorina saxatilis) and negative (L. fabalis) assortative mating. Our results show that both positive and negative estimates are biased by the SCE by different magnitudes, typically toward positive values. Therefore, the low frequency of negative assortative mating observed in the literature may be due to the SCE's impact on correlation estimates, which demands new experimental evaluation.
Journal Article