Abstract
Sexual dimorphisms are abundant in natural systems; however, their ecological and evolutionary significance have largely been neglected with respect to Chondrichthyes. A number of dimorphisms have been reported in this ancient clade, yet there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the disparity and variation in dimorphisms present in extant taxa, and the evolutionary processes that have resulted in their manifestation. In this review, I summarise our current understanding of sexual dimorphisms in chondrichthyans and consider the extent to which existing studies favour the two predominant theories regarding their evolution. Throughout, I consider the major limitations and open questions in the field, arguing ultimately that additional studies are required (both with regard to the phenomenon of sexual dimorphism itself, and several related fields including evolutionary genetics) if we wish to fully understand the evolutionary and ecological significance of sexual dimorphism in Chondrichthyes.
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