Abstract

Sexual conflict is thought to be a potent force driving the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits. In the water strider Rheumatobates rileyi, we show that elaborated traits on male antennae function to grasp resistant females during premating struggles. Using RNA interference, we uncovered novel roles of the gene distal-less (dll) in generating these male-specific traits. Furthermore, graded reduction of the grasping traits resulted in a graded reduction of mating success in males, thus demonstrating both selection for elaboration of the traits and the role of dll in their evolution. By establishing developmental genetic tools in model systems where sexual selection and conflict are understood, we can begin to reveal how selection can exploit ancient developmental genes to enable the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Khila A, Abouheif E, Rowe L

Institution

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada.

Source

Science (New York, N.Y.) 336:6081 2012 May 4 pg 585-9

MeSH

Animals
Arthropod Antennae
Base Sequence
Biological Evolution
Female
Genes, Insect
Genetic Fitness
Heteroptera
Homeodomain Proteins
Male
Molecular Sequence Data
Phenotype
RNA Interference
Selection, Genetic
Sex Characteristics
Sexual Behavior, Animal
Transcription Factors
Transcriptome

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22556252