Data from: How conflict shapes evolution in poeciliid fishes

In live-bearing animal lineages, the evolution of the placenta is
predicted to create an arena for genomic conflict during pregnancy, drive
patterns of male sexual selection, and increase the rate of speciation.
Here we test these predictions of the viviparity driven conflict
hypothesis (VDCH) in live-bearing poecilid fishes, a group showing
multiple independent origins of placentation and extreme variation in male
sexually selected traits. As predicted, male sexually selected traits are
only gained in lineages that lack placentas; while there is little or no
influence of male traits on the evolution of placentas. Both results are
consistent with the mode of female provisioning governing the evolution of
male attributes. Moreover, it is the presence of male sexually selected
traits (pre-copulatory), rather than placentation (post-copulatory), that
are associated with higher rates of speciation. These results highlight a
causal interaction between female reproductive mode, male sexual selection
and the rate of speciation, suggesting a role for conflict in shaping
diverse aspects of organismal biology.