University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Experimental alteration of litter sex ratios in a mammal

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 04:46 authored by Elissa Cameron, Lemons, PR, Bateman, PW, Bennett, NC
Adaptive theory predicts that mothers would be advantaged by adjusting the sex ratio of their offspring in relation to their offspring's future reproductive success. Studies investigating sex ratio variation in mammals, including humans, have obtained notoriously inconsistent results, except when maternal condition is measured around conception. Several mechanisms for sex ratio adjustment have been proposed. Here, we test the hypothesis that glucose concentrations around conception influence sex ratios. The change in glucose levels resulted in a change in sex ratios, with more daughters being born to females with experimentally lowered glucose, and with the change in glucose levels being more predictive than the glucose levels per se. We provide evidence for a mechanism, which, in tandem with other mechanisms, could explain observed sex ratio variation in mammals.

History

Publication title

Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences

Volume

275

Issue

1632

Pagination

323-327

ISSN

0962-8452

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

The Royal Society Publishing

Place of publication

6 Carlton House Terrace, London, England, Sw1Y 5Ag

Rights statement

Copyright © 2007 The Royal Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC