Weapons Evolve Faster Than Sperm in Bovids and Cervids.

ABSTRACT: In polyandrous species, males face reproductive competition both before and after mating. Sexual selection thus shapes the evolution of both pre- and postcopulatory traits, creating competing demands on resource allocation to different reproductive episodes. Traits subject to strong selection exhibit accelerated rates of phenotypic divergence, and examining evolutionary rates may inform us about the relative importance and potential fitness consequences of investing in traits under either pre- or postcopulatory sexual selection. Here, we used a comparative approach to assess evolutionary rates of key competitive traits in two artiodactyl families, bovids (family Bovidae) and cervids (family Cervidae), where male-male competition can occur before and after mating. We quantified and compared

SUBMITTER: Reuland C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8145498 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature