The extent to which sexual selection is involved in speciation with gene flow remains an open question and the sub- ject of much research. Here, we propose that some insight can be gained from considering the concept ...The extent to which sexual selection is involved in speciation with gene flow remains an open question and the sub- ject of much research. Here, we propose that some insight can be gained from considering the concept of magic traits （i.e., traits involved in both reproductive isolation and ecological divergence）. Both magic traits and other, ＂non-magic＂, traits can contribute to speciation via a number of specific mechanisms. We argue that many of these mechanisms are likely to differ widely in the ex- tent to which they involve sexual selection. Furthermore, in some cases where sexual selection is present, it may be prone to in- hibit rather than drive speciation. Finally, there are a priori reasons to believe that certain categories of traits are much more ef- fective than others in driving speciation. The combination of these points suggests a classification of traits that may shed light on the broader role of sexual selection in speciation with gene flow. In particular, we suggest that sexual selection can act as a driver of speciation in some scenarios, but may play a negligible role in potentially common categories of magic traits, and may be likely to inhibit speciation in common categories of non-magic traits [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 510-516, 2012].展开更多
1 Introduction The intriguing relationship between sexual selection and speciation has sparked an increasing number of pa- pers in recent years that have attempted to draw connec- tions between the two processes. Thes...1 Introduction The intriguing relationship between sexual selection and speciation has sparked an increasing number of pa- pers in recent years that have attempted to draw connec- tions between the two processes. These include a myriad of theoretical and empirical studies, as well as several influential reviews （e.g. Price, 1998; Panhuis et al., 2001, Kirkpatrick and Ravign6, 2002; Ritchie, 2007; Maan and Seehausen, 2011）. In particular, many re- searchers have speculated on whether sexual selection can lead to speciation, either alone, or in conjunction with ecological processes. Such speculation is tempting in part because of the obvious differences in secondary sexual characters that often exist between closely re- lated species. Indeed one of the earliest and most influ- ential of all sexual selection models, Lande＇s （1981） paper ＂Models of speciation by sexual selection on a polygenic trait＂ centered its title on the role that sexual selection may play in speciation.展开更多
The evolution of male preferences and of female ornaments in species with traditional sex roles （i.e., polygyny） have been highlighted as areas in need of more active research by an accumulation of recent findings. ...The evolution of male preferences and of female ornaments in species with traditional sex roles （i.e., polygyny） have been highlighted as areas in need of more active research by an accumulation of recent findings. The theoretical literature on these topics is relatively small and has centered on the evolution of male choice. Mathematical models have emphasized that, under polygyny, the evolution of male preferences faces much greater competition costs than does the evolution of female preferences. We discuss ways in which costly male choice can nonetheless evolve, via （1） direct selection that favors preferences, primarily through mating with highly fecund females, （2） mechanisms that rely on indirect selection, which weakly counters competitive costs of male preferences, and （3） genetic constraints, primarily in the form of pleiotropy of male and female preferences and traits. We also review a variety of mathematical models that have elucidated how costs to male preferences can be avoided. Finally, we turn our attention to the relatively scant theoretical literature on the effects of male mate choice on the evolution of female traits. We emphasize the finding that the presence of male preferences cannot be assumed to lead to the evolution of female ornaments during polygyny, and point out situations where models have elucidated ways in which female ornaments can nevertheless evolve.展开更多
文摘The extent to which sexual selection is involved in speciation with gene flow remains an open question and the sub- ject of much research. Here, we propose that some insight can be gained from considering the concept of magic traits （i.e., traits involved in both reproductive isolation and ecological divergence）. Both magic traits and other, ＂non-magic＂, traits can contribute to speciation via a number of specific mechanisms. We argue that many of these mechanisms are likely to differ widely in the ex- tent to which they involve sexual selection. Furthermore, in some cases where sexual selection is present, it may be prone to in- hibit rather than drive speciation. Finally, there are a priori reasons to believe that certain categories of traits are much more ef- fective than others in driving speciation. The combination of these points suggests a classification of traits that may shed light on the broader role of sexual selection in speciation with gene flow. In particular, we suggest that sexual selection can act as a driver of speciation in some scenarios, but may play a negligible role in potentially common categories of magic traits, and may be likely to inhibit speciation in common categories of non-magic traits [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 510-516, 2012].
文摘1 Introduction The intriguing relationship between sexual selection and speciation has sparked an increasing number of pa- pers in recent years that have attempted to draw connec- tions between the two processes. These include a myriad of theoretical and empirical studies, as well as several influential reviews （e.g. Price, 1998; Panhuis et al., 2001, Kirkpatrick and Ravign6, 2002; Ritchie, 2007; Maan and Seehausen, 2011）. In particular, many re- searchers have speculated on whether sexual selection can lead to speciation, either alone, or in conjunction with ecological processes. Such speculation is tempting in part because of the obvious differences in secondary sexual characters that often exist between closely re- lated species. Indeed one of the earliest and most influ- ential of all sexual selection models, Lande＇s （1981） paper ＂Models of speciation by sexual selection on a polygenic trait＂ centered its title on the role that sexual selection may play in speciation.
文摘The evolution of male preferences and of female ornaments in species with traditional sex roles （i.e., polygyny） have been highlighted as areas in need of more active research by an accumulation of recent findings. The theoretical literature on these topics is relatively small and has centered on the evolution of male choice. Mathematical models have emphasized that, under polygyny, the evolution of male preferences faces much greater competition costs than does the evolution of female preferences. We discuss ways in which costly male choice can nonetheless evolve, via （1） direct selection that favors preferences, primarily through mating with highly fecund females, （2） mechanisms that rely on indirect selection, which weakly counters competitive costs of male preferences, and （3） genetic constraints, primarily in the form of pleiotropy of male and female preferences and traits. We also review a variety of mathematical models that have elucidated how costs to male preferences can be avoided. Finally, we turn our attention to the relatively scant theoretical literature on the effects of male mate choice on the evolution of female traits. We emphasize the finding that the presence of male preferences cannot be assumed to lead to the evolution of female ornaments during polygyny, and point out situations where models have elucidated ways in which female ornaments can nevertheless evolve.
