Abstract
BackgroundThe genetic benefits of mate choice are limited by the degree to which male and female fitness are genetically correlated. If the intersexual correlation for fitness is small or negative, choosing a highly fit mate does not necessarily result in high fitness offspring.Methodology/Principal FindingUsing an animal-model approach on data from a pedigreed population of over 7,000 collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), we estimate the intersexual genetic correlation in Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) in a natural population to be negative in sign (−0.85±0.6). Simulations show this estimate to be robust in sign to the effects of extra-pair parentage. The genetic benefits in this population are further limited by a low level of genetic variation for fitness in males.Conclusions/SignificanceThe potential for indirect sexual selection is nullified by sexual antagonistic fitness effects in this natural population. Our findings and the scarce evidence from other studies suggest that the intersexual genetic correlation for lifetime fitness may be very low in nature. We argue that this form of conflict can, in general, both constrain and maintain sexual selection, depending on the sex-specific additive genetic variances in lifetime fitness.
Highlights
In a sexual population, the expected change in mean fitness across generations is given by the additive genetic variance in lifetime fitness [1], and other traits will evolve as a correlated response to this change [2]
Our results further show that the estimated genetic correlation in Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) between male and female collared flycatchers was negative, and clearly significantly lower than unity, as judged by a likelihood ratio test (Table 2)
We find that the intersexual genetic correlation in LRS is significantly below one, indicating that fitness effects of genes expressed in males are not positively correlated to their effects in females
Summary
The expected change in mean fitness across generations is given by the additive genetic variance in lifetime fitness [1], and other traits will evolve as a correlated response to this change [2]. Using an animal-model approach on data from a pedigreed population of over 7,000 collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), we estimate the intersexual genetic correlation in Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) in a natural population to be negative in sign (20.8560.6). Simulations show this estimate to be robust in sign to the effects of extra-pair parentage. Our findings and the scarce evidence from other studies suggest that the intersexual genetic correlation for lifetime fitness may be very low in nature We argue that this form of conflict can, in general, both constrain and maintain sexual selection, depending on the sex-specific additive genetic variances in lifetime fitness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
