Exploring the consequences of postmating-prezygotic interactions between the sexes.

ABSTRACT: The role of male-female interactions in the divergence of postmating-prezygotic reproductive traits has recently focused on sexual conflict as the selective force. While an association between mating costs and benefits suggests that antagonistic interactions may be important, a mosaic of processes may actually mediate the evolutionary dynamics of postmating-prezygotic interactions. Our study examines the ecological relevance of mating effects on females. We test this critical but often overlooked assumption in desert Drosophila, where the species' ecology provides a framework for evaluating the evolutionary implications of such mating consequences. We show that mating has a profound impact on an ecologically critical character--desiccation resistance. To explore what selective factors migh

SUBMITTER: Knowles LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1810077 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature