Phylogenetic Relationships of Immune Function and Oxidative Physiology With Sexual Selection and Parental Effort in Male and Female Birds.

ABSTRACT: Sexual differences in physiology are widely regarded as potential proximate mechanisms that underlie sex differences in mortality, life history and disease risk of vertebrates. However, little is known about the causes of sex-specific variation in physiology. Sexual selection and parental workload are two key components suggested to play a role. Theory predicts that, within males, species with stronger male sexual selection (greater sexual dichromatism and more frequent social polygyny) and higher male parental effort should have lower immune capacity and stronger oxidative imbalance. Within females, a weak or no direct effect of male sexual selection on physiology is expected, but species where females invest more in parental care should have lower immune capacity and higher oxidative imb

SUBMITTER: Pap PL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11919744 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature