The dilemma of Fisherian sexual selection: Mate choice for indirect benefits despite rarity and overall weakness of trait‐preference genetic correlation |
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Authors: | Michael D Greenfield Sylvain Alem Denis Limousin Nathan W Bailey |
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Institution: | 1. Institut de recherche sur la biologie de l'insecte (IRBI), CNRS UMR 7261, Université Fran?ois, , 37200 Tours France;2. Research Centre for Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, , London E1 4NS, United Kingdom;3. UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 1272, Physiologie de l’Insecte Signalisation et Communication, , F‐78026 Versailles, France;4. INRA, UMR 1272, Physiologie de l’Insecte Signalisation et Communication, F‐78026, , Versailles, France;5. Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, , United Kingdom |
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Abstract: | Fisher's mechanism of sexual selection is a fundamental element of evolutionary theory. In it nonrandom mate choice causes a genetic covariance between a male trait and female preference for that trait and thereby generates a positive feedback process sustaining accelerated coevolution of the trait and preference. Numerous theoretical models of Fisher's mechanism have confirmed its mathematical underpinnings, yet biologists have often failed to find evidence for trait‐preference genetic correlation in populations in which the mechanism was expected to function. We undertook a survey of the literature to conduct a formal meta‐analysis probing the incidence and strength of trait‐preference correlation among animal species. Our meta‐analysis found significant positive genetic correlations in fewer than 20% of the species studied and an overall weighted correlation that is slightly positive. Importantly, a significant positive correlation was not found in any thorough study that included multiple subgroups. We discuss several ways in which the dynamic, multivariate nature of mate choice may reduce the trait‐preference genetic correlation predicted by Fisher's mechanism. We then entertain the possibilities that Fisherian‐like processes sometimes function without genetic correlation, and that mate choice may persist in a population as long as genetic correlation, and therefore Fisher's mechanism, occurs intermittently. |
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Keywords: | Female choice genetic covariance meta‐analysis runaway selection |
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