Document Detail


The evolution from females to hermaphrodites results in a sexual conflict over mating in androdioecious nematode worms and clam shrimp.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20074309     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana are two well-studied androdioecious species consisting mostly of self-fertilizing hermaphrodites and few males. To understand how androdioecy can evolve, a simple two-step mathematical model of the evolutionary pathway from a male-female species to a selfing-hermaphrodite species is constructed. First, the frequency of mutant females capable of facultative self-fertilization increases if the benefits of reproductive assurance exceed the cost. Second, hermaphrodites become obligate self-fertilizers if the fitness of selfed offspring exceeds one-half the fitness of outcrossed offspring. Genetic considerations specific to C. elegans and E. texana show that males may endure as descendants of the ancestral male-female species. These models combined with an extensive literature review suggest a sexual conflict over mating in these androdioecious species: selection favours hermaphrodites that self and males that outcross. The strength of selection on hermaphrodites and males differs, however. Males that fail to outcross suffer a genetic death. Hermaphrodites may never encounter a rare male, and those that do and outcross only bear less fecund offspring. This asymmetric sexual conflict results in an evolutionary stand-off: rare, but persistent males occasionally fertilize common, but reluctant hermaphrodites. A consequence of this stand-off may be an increase in the longevity of the androdioecious mating system.
Authors:
J R Chasnov
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review     Date:  2010-01-14
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of evolutionary biology     Volume:  23     ISSN:  1420-9101     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Evol. Biol.     Publication Date:  2010 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-21     Completed Date:  2010-09-07     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8809954     Medline TA:  J Evol Biol     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  539-56     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong. jeffrey.chasnov@ust.hk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
Crustacea / genetics*
Evolution*
Female
Hermaphroditism / genetics
Inbreeding*
Male
Models, Genetic*
Selection, Genetic

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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