Sexual selection constrains the body mass of male but not female mice
Citations Over TimeTop 11% of 2017 papers
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism results when female and male body size is influenced differently by natural and sexual selection. Typically, in polygynous species larger male body size is thought to be favored in competition for mates and constraints on maximal body size are due to countervailing natural selection on either sex; however, it has been postulated that sexual selection itself may result in stabilizing selection at an optimal mass. Here we test this hypothesis by retrospectively assessing the influence of body mass, one metric of body size, on the fitness of 113 wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus) residing within ten replicate semi-natural enclosures from previous studies conducted by our laboratory. Enclosures possess similar levels of sexual selection, but relaxed natural selection, relative to natural systems. Heavier females produced more offspring, while males of intermediate mass had the highest fitness. Female results suggest that some aspect of natural selection, absent from enclosures, acts to decrease their body mass, while the upper and lower boundaries of male mass are constrained by sexual selection.
Related Papers
- → Self-estimates of abilities are a better reflection of individuals’ personality traits than of their abilities and are also strong predictors of professional interests(2020)50 cited
- → Personality correlates and utilitarian judgments in the everyday context: Psychopathic traits and differential effects of empathy, social dominance orientation, and dehumanization beliefs(2019)19 cited
- → Amount of altruistic punishment accounts for subsequent emotional gratification in participants with primary psychopathy(2011)14 cited
- Susquehanna Chorale Spring Concert "Roots and Wings"(2017)
- → ИСПОЛЬЗОВAНИЕ ПОТЕНЦИAЛA СОЦИAЛЬНЫХ ПAРТНЕРОВ В ПОДГОТОВКЕ БУДУЩИХ ПЕДAГОГОВ(2024)