Reproductive ageing and sexual selection on male body size in a wild population of antler flies (Protopiophila litigata)

Little is known about the importance of trade‐offs between ageing and other life history traits, or the effects of ageing on sexual selection, particularly in wild populations suffering high extrinsic mortality rates. Life history theory suggests that trade‐offs between reproduction and somatic main...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of evolutionary biology 2005-09, Vol.18 (5), p.1332-1340
Main Authors: BONDURIANSKY, R., BRASSIL, C. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aging - physiology
Animal reproduction
Animals
Body Size
Diptera - anatomy & histology
Diptera - genetics
Diptera - physiology
field study
Insects
life history
Longevity
Males
Models, Biological
Ontario
Protopiophila litigata
Reproduction - physiology
Selection
Selection, Genetic
senescence
Sex Factors
sexual selection
Survival analysis
trade‐off
wild population
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Summary:Little is known about the importance of trade‐offs between ageing and other life history traits, or the effects of ageing on sexual selection, particularly in wild populations suffering high extrinsic mortality rates. Life history theory suggests that trade‐offs between reproduction and somatic maintenance may constrain individuals with higher initial reproductive rates to deteriorate more rapidly, resulting in reduced sexual selection strength. However, this trade‐off may be masked by increased condition dependence of reproductive effort in older individuals. We tested for this trade‐off in males in a wild population of antler flies (Protopiophila litigata). High mating rate was associated with reduced longevity, as a result of increased short‐term mortality risk or accelerated ageing in traits affecting viability. In contrast, large body size was associated with accelerated ageing in traits affecting mating success, resulting in reduced sexual selection for large body size. Thus, ageing can affect sexual selection and evolution in wild populations.
ISSN:1010-061X
1420-9101
DOI:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2005.00957.x