Data from: Convergent rates of protein evolution identify novel targets of sexual selection in primates

Sexual selection is the differential reproductive success of individuals,
resulting from competition for mates, mate choice, or success in
fertilization. In primates, this selective pressure often leads to the
development of exaggerated traits which play a role in sexual competition
and successful reproduction. In order to gain insight into the mechanisms
driving the development of sexually selected traits, we used an unbiased
genome-wide approach across 21 primate species to correlate individual
rates of protein evolution to relative testes size and sexual dimorphism
in body size, two anatomical hallmarks of sexual selection in mammals.
Among species with presumed high levels of sperm competition, we detected
strong conservation of testes-specific proteins responsible for
spermatogenesis and ciliary form and function. In contrast, we identified
accelerated evolution of female reproductive proteins expressed in the
vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes in these same species. Additionally,
we found accelerated protein evolution in lymphoid tissue, indicating that
adaptive immune functions may also be influenced by sexual selection. This
study demonstrates the distinct complexity of sexual selection in primates
revealing contrasting patterns of protein evolution between male and
female reproductive tissues.