Strongly sexually dimorphic forelegs are not more condition-dependent than less dimorphic traits in Drosophila prolongata.

ABSTRACT: Directional sexual selection drives the evolution of traits that are most closely linked to reproductive success, giving rise to trait exaggeration and sexual dimorphism. Exaggerated structures are often costly and, therefore, thought to be expressed in a condition-dependent manner. Sexual selection theory thus predicts a direct link between directional sexual selection, sexual dimorphism, and sex-specific condition dependence. However, only a handful of studies investigate the relationship between sexual dimorphism and condition dependence. Using 21 genetic lines of Drosophila prolongata, we here compared the degree of sexual dimorphism and sex-specific condition dependence, measured as allometric slopes, in sexually selected and non-sexual traits. Our data revealed male-biased sex

SUBMITTER: Perdigon Ferreira J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10156779 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature