Spatial Segregation Of Sexes Research Articles

Sexual differences and sex ratios of dioecious plants under stressful environments

AbstractDioecious plants exhibit sexual dimorphism in both sexual features (reproductive organs) and secondary sex characteristics (vegetative traits). Sexual differences in secondary traits, including morphological, physiological and ecological characters, have been commonly associated with trade-offs between the cost of reproduction and other plant functions. Such trade-offs may be modified by environmental stressors, although there is evidence that sexually dimorphic responses to stress do not always exist in all plant species. When sexual dimorphism exists, sexually different responses appear to depend on the species and stress types. Yet, further studies on dioecious plant species are needed to allow the generalization of stress effects on males and females. Additionally, sexual dimorphism may influence the frequency and distribution of the sexes along environmental gradients, likely causing niche differentiation and spatial segregation of sexes. At the present, the causes and mechanisms governing sex ratio biases are poorly understood. This review aims to discuss sex-specific responses and sex ratio biases occurring under adverse conditions, which will advance our knowledge of sexually dimorphic responses to environmental stressors.

Sex-different response in growth traits to resource heterogeneity explains male-biased sex ratio

In dioecious plants, differences in growth traits between sexes in a response to micro-environmental heterogeneity may affect sex ratio bias and spatial distributions. Here, we examined sex ratios, stem growth traits and spatial distribution patterns in the dioecious clonal shrub Aucuba japonica var. borealis, in stands with varying light intensities. We found that male stems were significantly more decumbent (lower height/length ratio) but female stems were upright (higher height/length ratio). Moreover, we found sex-different response in stem density (no. of stems per unit area) along a light intensity gradient; in males the stem density increased with increases in canopy openness, but not in females. The higher sensitivity of males in increasing stem density to light intensity correlated with male-biased sex ratio; fine-scale sex ratio was strongly male-biased as canopy openness increased. There were also differences between sexes in spatial distributions of stems. Spatial segregation of sexes and male patches occupying larger areas than female patches might result from vigorous growth of males under well-lit environments. In summary, females and males showed different growth responses to environmental variation, and this seemed to be one of possible causes for the sex-differential spatial distributions and locally biased sex ratios.

Intra‐ and inter‐sexual competition of Populus cathayana under different watering regimes

Summary Previous studies have demonstrated that poplar is sexually dimorphic in its responses to environmental stresses and provided evidence of sex‐related differences in protein composition, gene transcription and morphological and physiological processes. However, sexual competition of poplar has not yet been studied. We employed Populus cathayana males and females as a model to investigate intra‐ and intersexual competition under well‐watered condition and drought stress. Our results indicated that competition significantly affected sexual dimorphism of P. cathayana under different watering regimes. Sexual competition was environment‐dependent and modified by drought. In females, drought intensified the negative effect of intrasexual competition. Similar resource utilization patterns of females may aggravate pressure for resources under drought stress. Under intersexual competition, females showed a greater competitive ability than males under well‐watered condition, while males showed a slight competitive advantage under drought stress. Intersexual competition seems to alleviate the sexual dimorphism of P. cathayana in response to drought stress, as females increase fitness and males decrease fitness compared with intrasexual competition. Sexual dimorphism in resource utilization patterns and niche segregation may contribute to sexual competition in a given environment. Sexual competition was found to affect competitive ability and fitness of both sexes, which may cause spatial segregation of sexes in P. cathyana populations.

Effects of temperature and rainfall variation on population structure and sexual dimorphism across the geographical range of a dioecious species

AbstractThe effects of climate (precipitation and temperature) on sexual dimorphism and population structure were analysed along a broad‐scale environmental gradient covering the distributional range of the endemic dioecious species Corema album, along the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula. We aimed to assess distribution constraints and sex‐related differences in demography and size associated with higher reproductive investment in females. Nine populations were chosen from across the geographic range of C. album and ten 10 × 10 m plots were established (10 m apart) along a 200‐m transect. All male, female and non‐reproductive shrubs were quantified within each plot and plant size, photosynthetic layer, height, sex ratio, population density and structure, and spatial segregation of sexes, under environmental conditions ranging from temperate to Mediterranean climate, were recorded and analysed. Increased aridity was related to lower population density and less structured populations, indicating an effect of higher temperature and lower precipitation on regeneration. Sexual dimorphism was influenced by climate, with size differences between sexes varying with aridity. However, demographic differences between sexes reflected in sex ratio deviations or the occurrence of spatial segregation were unrelated to any climatic variable, suggesting the existence of compensatory mechanisms that may counterbalance the higher reproductive effort of female plants. The results show the vulnerability of this endemic species to the increase in aridity expected in the southernmost limit of the biogeographical area due to global climate change, and demonstrate the importance of broad scale studies in the assessment of sexual dimorphism.

Reproduction of Halicarcinus planatus (crustacea, decapoda, hymenosomatidae) in the Deseado River estuary, southwestern Atlantic Ocean

The small spider crab Halicarcinus planatus, is a common resident in the rocky coasts of the Magellanic region in South America. The H. planatus population in the Deseado River estuary differs from other populations of the same species in the spatial segregation of sexes. Between March 2002 and October 2003, samples were taken monthly from the lower intertidal and upper subtidal levels. All crabs captured were females. Additional samplings were carried out at the subtidal level to search for the presence of males. A total of 3,346 females were captured and their relative age was determined. Some of these females were maintained in the laboratory to study the terminal moult and the spawning seasons. The analysis of the ovary development of adolescents (ADO) and mature (MAT) females, and the times when females of different ages appear, when spermatophores are found inside spermathecae, and when post-spawning mortality takes place allowed us to establish the whole reproductive process. Adolescents are impregnated only once before the terminal moult. There are seven or eight spawnings after the moult, with a brief resting period between two successive reproductive seasons. The life span of mature females ranges between 15 and 22 months. Results indicate that the H. planatus population of the Deseado River estuary differs greatly from that of the Kerguelen Islands.

Altitudinal variation of the sex ratio and segregation by gender in the dioecious plant Mercurialis perennis L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Serbia

The sex ratio is one of the most intriguing problems for evolutionary biologists. Spatio-temporal variation of male frequency in sexually dimorphic plant species, spatial segregation, and differential investment of the two sex functions have attracted much research interest. In this study, we examined altitudinal variation of the sex ratio and segregation by gender in Mercurialis perennis (dog?s mercury), a dioecious anemophilous species with wide distribution. The eight studied populations from Serbia represented an altitudinal range of 196 to 1480 m. Sex ratio was significantly biased in seven of the eight populations, with males outnumbering females 3.91:1 in the lowest-altitude population. Our results support the notion of spatial segregation of sexes along on altitudinal gradient: the frequency of males decreased with altitude, from 79.6% to 41.0%. The sex ratio was not significantly correlated with population density. We also examined intersexual differences of plant height in two populations from the extremes of the studied altitudinal range. Males were the larger sex in both populations, though the difference was not significant in the high-altitude population. .

Sex ratio and gender-dependent neighboring effects in Podocarpus nagi, a dioecious tree

We analyzed sex ratio, growth rates, and spacing among individuals of Podocarpus nagi, a dioecious tree, on Mt. Mikasa, Nara City, Japan. The sex ratio of reproductive trees ≥ 5 cm in stem diameter at breast height (dbh, 130 cm above ground level) was significantly male-biased. The sex ratio was male-biased in the < 20 cm and ≥ 50 cm size classes, while it did not depart from 1:1 in the 20 ≤ dbh < 50 cm class. Growth rate varied with tree size in males but not in females. The precocity and vigor of males suggests that differences in reproductive costs between sexes induce the biased sex ratio. Random labeling tests on the positions of reproductive trees showed that in the < 30 cm class, males and females were distributed randomly and independently from each other. In the ≥ 30 cm class, males were significantly clumped, whereas females were randomly distributed. Males and females showed significant repulsion, i.e., a spatial segregation of sexes. Both intra- and intersexual effects on the growth rate of crowding by neighbors were significant for females, but not for males. Maximum competitive interference was observed at a distance of 5 m, which corresponded approximately to the radius of clumps of large males and to the significant repulsive distance between large males and females. These results suggest that sexual differences in sensitivity to local crowding are related to the formation of gender-dependent spatial patterns. Formation of female-repulsive male clumps and a male-biased sex ratio may intensify the decreased probability of regeneration near males, as suggested by the limited seed-dispersal range of this species, thereby promoting coexistence with other species.

Polymorphic mimicry, microhabitat use, and sex‐specific behaviour

In order to assess the adaptive importance of microhabitat segregation for the maintenance of mimetic diversity, I explore how flight height varies between the sympatric forms of the polymorphic butterfly Heliconius numata and their respective models in the genus Melinaea. There is no evidence for vertical stratification of mimicry rings in these tiger-patterned butterflies, but males of H. numata tend to fly significantly higher than females and the Melinaea models. This difference in microhabitat preference likely results from females searching for host plants whereas males are patrolling for mates. I then present an extension of Muller's mimicry model for the case of partial behavioural or spatial segregation of sexes. The analysis suggests that sex-specific behaviours can make mimicry more beneficial, simply by reducing the effective population size participating in mimicry. The interaction between mimicry and sex-specific behaviours may therefore facilitate the evolution of polymorphism via enhanced, fine-scale local adaptation.

Sexual demographics of riparian populations of Populus deltoides: Can mortality be predicted from a change in reproductive status?

Populus deltoides var. wislizenii (S. Wats.) Eckenwalder (cottonwood) forests along the Rio Grande drainage are predicted to disappear within this century. We evaluated stand health over 3 years by examining the sex ratio, size, and spatial distribution of male, female, and nonreproductive trees in six even-aged stands of P. deltoides spanning 280 km along the Rio Grande drainage. There was no evidence of biased sex ratios or spatial segregation of sexes; however, tree mortality was strongly related to reproductive status. In the most stressed population, over half of the mature trees remained nonreproductive and a substantial number switched from reproductive to nonreproductive status. Logistic regression revealed that over all populations, tree size, reproductive status in previous years, and population were significant factors affecting reproduction. By considering physiological and environmental differences, we determined two groups of nonreproductive individuals: those previously reproductive that became nonreproductive and those that remained nonreproductive over the 3 years. The former group appeared to be under greater physiological and environmental stress. Monitoring the rate at which individuals change reproductive status provides an effective and simple measurement that can predict survival of riparian cottonwood populations.Key Words: Populus deltoides, sex ratio, Rio Grande basin, reproductive status, nonreproductive.

Sexual demographics of riparian populations of &lt;i&gt;Populus deltoides&lt;/i&gt;: Can mortality be predicted from a change in reproductive status?

Populus deltoides var. wislizenii (S. Wats.) Eckenwalder (cottonwood) forests along the Rio Grande drainage are predicted to disappear within this century. We evaluated stand health over 3 years by examining the sex ratio, size, and spatial distribution of male, female, and nonreproductive trees in six even-aged stands of P. deltoides spanning 280 km along the Rio Grande drainage. There was no evidence of biased sex ratios or spatial segregation of sexes; however, tree mortality was strongly related to reproductive status. In the most stressed population, over half of the mature trees remained nonreproductive and a substantial number switched from reproductive to nonreproductive status. Logistic regression revealed that over all populations, tree size, reproductive status in previous years, and population were significant factors affecting reproduction. By considering physiological and environmental differences, we determined two groups of nonreproductive individuals: those previously reproductive that be...

Reproduction of Photographically Identified Fin Whales, Balaenoptera physalus, from the Gulf of Maine

We photographically identified 534 individual fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) in the Gulf of Maine from 1980 to 1988, including 64 females and 40 young. Arrival patterns of mother-young pairs were similar to other whales within years. Individual females showed strong site fidelity to either the northern or southern Gulf of Maine, suggesting substock separation on the feeding range. Gross annual rates of reproduction (proportion of individuals that were young-of-the-year) for the Gulf of Maine ranged from 0.03 to 0.12 ( X = 0.08) among years. Greater proportions of young were observed in samples from the southern Gulf of Maine ( X = 0.12) than in the northern Gulf of Maine ( X = 0.05). Greater proportions of females also were observed in the southern Gulf of Maine ( X = 0.22) than in the northern Gulf of Maine ( X = 0.10). The average time between consecutive births was 2.71 years, which represented a crude birth rate of 0.37 young per mature female per year. We estimated a potential mean interval of birthing of 2.24 years by making some assumptions for three females with incomplete sighting histories. The overall gross annual rates of reproduction that we observed were similar to rates predicted by harvest data, but rates from the northern Gulf of Maine were less than predicted. Spatial segregation of sexes or age classes may be occurring within the Gulf of Maine.

Water stress effects on successional populations of the dioecious herb, Rumex acetosella L.

summaryThe effects of water stress and rewatering on the water relations and biomass of male and female plants of the dioecious herb, Rumex acetosella L., have been examined. Plants were collected from two fields, 2 and 15 yr old respectively, and submitted to different water regimes. Male plants from both populations showed a similar response to water deficit, having a low transpiration rate and low consumption of soil water, whilst maintaining a high green leaf area. Females from the two populations differed from each other more than males, both in terms of their response to drought and survival capacity. Females from the young population, which had a small green‐leaf area and a small root biomass, had progressively lower water potentials and maintained higher levels of transpiration at the onset of the first drought period, indicating a progressive acclimation to water stress. They also recovered more rapidly and to a greater extent than all the others upon rewatering. Females from the old population, with a high root/shoot ratio, transpired the most prior to the onset of water stress. They maintained a high water potential throughout the stress period, having high stomatal resistances and removing more water as soil moisture declined. This is indicative of drought avoidance. Root development was, however, limited in the shallow pots, hence the water resource was depleted rapidly and mortality occurred to a greater extent in these old‐field females. These characteristics may be adaptative, given the selection pressures which operate on water balance characters along a successional gradient and the spatial segregation of sexes that has been previously observed in this dioecious species in the same old‐field succession, with the sex ratio becoming progressively male‐biased with time.