Condition-dependence, genotype-by-environment interactions and the lek paradox |
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Authors: | Hanna Kokko Katja Heubel |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Dynamics, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 1, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, 00014, Finland;(2) School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia |
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Abstract: | The lek paradox states that maintaining genetic variation necessary for ‘indirect benefit’ models of female choice is difficult,
and two interrelated solutions have been proposed. ‘Genic capture’ assumes condition-dependence of sexual traits, while genotype-by-environment
interactions (GEIs) offer an additional way to maintain diversity. However, condition-dependence, particularly with GEIs,
implies that environmental variation can blur the relationship between male displays and offspring fitness. These issues have
been treated separately in the past. Here we combine them in a population genetic model, and show that predictions change
not only in magnitude but also in direction when the timing of dispersal between environments relative to the life cycle is
changed. GEIs can dramatically improve the evolution of costly female preferences, but also hamper it if much dispersal occurs
between the life history stage where condition is determined and mating. This situation also arises if selection or mutation
rates are too high. In general, our results highlight that when evaluating any mechanism promoted as a potential resolution
of the lek paradox, it is not sufficient to focus on its effects on genetic variation. It also has to be assessed to what
extent the proposed mechanism blurs the association between male attractiveness and offspring fitness; the net balance of
these two effects can be positive or negative, and often strongly context-dependent. |
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Keywords: | Lek paradox Genotype-by-environment interaction Migration Condition-dependence Female choice |
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