Sperm length ornamentation associates with survival and sterility after heatwaves among Drosophila species
Whether sexual selection facilitates or hinders adaptation to novel environments is a question of fundamental importance due to current rapid environmental change. Using phylogenetic comparative analysis in 42 Drosophila species, we found that sperm length - a sexually selected ornament - positively associates with the ability of males to survive high temperatures. However, the ability to remain…
A recent study examining 42 Drosophila species has revealed a fascinating link between sperm length and survival in the face of heatwaves. Sexual selection, which favors ornamented traits such as longer sperm, can positively impact a male's ability to survive high temperatures. However, the study also found that the capacity to remain fertile does not increase as markedly with sperm length.
Consequently, longer sperm species experience a greater difference between temperatures that kill and those that sterilize males. The results suggest that strong sexual selection on condition-dependent, exaggerated traits like longer sperm may help males adapt to environmental stressors. Yet, there is a trade-off, as susceptibility to heat-induced infertility may be a cost of such extreme sperm ornamentation.
The findings highlight the complex interplay between postcopulatory sexual selection and the challenges posed by climate change.
Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
