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Promiscuity resolves constraints on social mate choice imposed by population viscosity
Citation
While, GM and Uller, T and Bordogna, G and Wapstra, E, Promiscuity resolves constraints on social mate choice imposed by population viscosity, Molecular Ecology, 23, (3) pp. 721-732. ISSN 0962-1083 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
Population viscosity can have major consequences for adaptive evolution, in particular for phenotypes involved in social interactions. For example, population viscosity increases the probability of mating with close kin, resulting in selection for mechanisms that circumvent the potential negative consequences of inbreeding. Female promiscuity is often suggested to be one such mechanism. However, whether avoidance of genetically similar partners is a major selective force shaping patterns of promiscuity remains poorly supported by empirical data. Here, we show (i) that fine-scale genetic structure constrains social mate choice in a pair-bonding lizard, resulting in individuals pairing with genetically similar individuals, (ii) that these constraints are circumvented by multiple mating with less related individuals and (iii) that this results in increased heterozygosity of offspring. Despite this, we did not detect any significant effects of heterozygosity on offspring or adult fitness or a strong relationship between pair relatedness and female multiple mating. We discuss these results within the context of incorporating the genetic context dependence of mating strategies into a holistic understanding of mating system evolution.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | sexual selection, mate choice, social systems, lizard, extra-pair paternity, heterozygosity, inbreeding avoidance, mating systems, population viscosity, relatedness |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Behavioural ecology |
Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences |
UTAS Author: | While, GM (Associate Professor Geoff While) |
UTAS Author: | Bordogna, G (Ms Genevieve Bordogna) |
UTAS Author: | Wapstra, E (Professor Erik Wapstra) |
ID Code: | 89881 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 17 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2014-03-18 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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