Cryptic Female Choice: A General Phenomenon. A Reply to Eberhard

Abstract

A major goal of our review [1xPostmating female control: 20 years of cryptic female choice. Firman, R.C. et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2017; 32: 368–382Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (6)See all References][1] was to critically assess the scope of and empirical evidence for cryptic female choice (CFC) as an agent of evolutionary change in phylogenetically diverse sexually reproducing organisms, as did Eberhard in his influential monograph [2xFemale Control: Sexual Selection by Cryptic Female Choice. Eberhard, W.G. See all References][2]. This breadth precludes a detailed discussion of individual taxa, for which we refer to more specialised publications [1xPostmating female control: 20 years of cryptic female choice. Firman, R.C. et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2017; 32: 368–382Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (6)See all References][1]. We stand by our general conclusion that while CFC has the potential to be a general phenomenon and a powerful evolutionary force, evidence for this has often been indirect and correlational. We therefore wholeheartedly embrace Eberhard’s [3xCryptic female choice revisited: A response to Firman et al.. Eberhard, W.G. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2017; 32: 805–807PubMedSee all References][3] recent call to demonstrate CFC experimentally and welcome his suggestion to harness the wondrous diversity and numerous advantages offered by arthropods for the study of CFC [4xCryptic Female Choice in Arthropods. Patterns, Mechanisms and Prospects. Peretti, A.V. and Aisenberg, A. Crossref | Scopus (8)See all References][4]. By the same token, we are wary of inferring CFC and its fitness consequences (e.g., male coercion versus female control) based on phylogenetic patterns or behavioural observations alone, although this information may be highly relevant. Studying CFC and its consequences requires a clear demonstration of a female-driven postmating bias in sperm use, fertilisation, or paternity outcome and a causal link between such bias and male phenotype or genotype [2xFemale Control: Sexual Selection by Cryptic Female Choice. Eberhard, W.G. See all References][2]. This demonstration has proved challenging, although recent developments promise exciting progress ahead. We have no doubt that arthropods will continue to play a prominent role in the rapidly expanding field of CFC.