What is the Genetic Relationship Between Attractiveness and Fighting Ability and Fertilisation Success in Field Crickets?

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    Specific sexually selected traits like breeding colouration show moderate heritability, while that of 'attractiveness', 'fighting ability' and 'fertilization success' is often unknown. A key theoretical question is whether net male reproductive success (dependent on attractiveness, fighting ability and fertilization success) is heritable. An artificial selection experiment will test whether the genetic correlation between attractiveness and fighting ability is negative. If so, antagonistic pleiotropy may generate balancing sexual selection. The heritability of attractive traits may persist because selection for them reduces dominance and vice-versa. Likewise, the genetic correlation with fertilization success will also be calculated.
    StatusFinished
    Effective start/end date1/01/0531/12/06

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