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Differential sex allocation in sand lizards: bright males induce daughter production in a species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes

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posted on 2023-05-16, 16:35 authored by Olsson, M, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra, Uller, T
In sand lizards (Lacerta agilis), males with more and brighter nuptial coloration also have more DNA fragments visualized in restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of their major histocompatibility complex class I loci (and, hence, are probably more heterozygous at these loci). Such males produce more viable offspring, with a particularly strong viability effect on daughters. This suggests that females should adjust both their reproductive investment and offspring sex ratio in relation to male coloration (i.e. differential allocation). Our results show that experimental manipulation of partner coloration in the wild results in significantly higher maternal effort and a 10% higher proportion of daughters than sons. This supports the hypothesis that females increase their maternal energetic expenditure and adjust their offspring sex ratio in response to high-quality partners. However, it also suggests that this has probably evolved through natural selection for increased offspring viability (primarily through production of daughters), rather than through increased mate attraction (e.g. sexy sons). © 2005 The Royal Society.

History

Publication title

Biology Letters

Pagination

378-380

ISSN

1744-9561

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Royal Society of London

Place of publication

UK

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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