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Sexual selection on non-ornamental traits is underpinned by evidence of genetic constraints on sex-biased expression in dusky pipefish
  • +2
  • Nicole Tosto,
  • Emily Rose,
  • Heather Mason,
  • Judith Mank,
  • Sarah Flanagan
Nicole Tosto
University of Canterbury
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Emily Rose
Valdosta State University
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Heather Mason
The University of Tampa
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Judith Mank
The University of British Columbia
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Sarah Flanagan
University of Canterbury

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Species without dimorphic secondary sex characteristics easily visible to humans, such as difference in size or morphology, are expected to experience low levels of sex-specific selection. However, monomorphism in classic visible traits could be a result of genetic or physiological constraints that prevent the sexes from reaching divergent fitness optima. Additionally, biochemical and molecular work has revealed a variety of less easily observed phenotypes that none-the-less exhibit profound dimorphism. Sex-specific selection could act on these more subtle, less visible, traits. We investigate sex-specific selection in the polygynandrous dusky pipefish (Syngnathus floridae), which lacks size, color, and morphological dimorphism. Using experimental breeding populations, we revealed that although males and females have similar opportunities for sexual selection, only males experience significant sexual selection pressures on body size. We also investigated patterns of sex-biased and sex-specific gene expression in gonads, livers, and gills, and tested whether genes with highly divergent expression patterns between the sexes are more likely to be tissue specific, and therefore relieved of genetic constraints. We. Sex-bias in gene expression was widespread, although the reproductive organs had the most sex-biased and sex-specific genes. Sex-specific selection on gene expression in gills was primarily related to immune response, whereas the liver and gonads had a wide variety of cellular processes, as well as reproductive proteins, showing sex-biased expression. These sex-biased genes are likely less constrained by pleiotropy, as they were more organ-specific in their expression patterns. Altogether, we find evidence for ongoing and historical sex-specific selection in the dusky pipefish.
27 Jan 2024Submitted to Molecular Ecology
30 Jan 2024Submission Checks Completed
30 Jan 2024Assigned to Editor
12 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Jun 20241st Revision Received
13 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
13 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
13 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Sep 20242nd Revision Received
11 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
11 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
11 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept