Interplay between male quality and male-female compatibility across episodes of sexual selection

The processes underlying mate choice profoundly influence the dynamics of sexual selection and the evolution of male sexual traits. Consistent preference for certain phenotypes may erode genetic variation in populations through directional selection, whereas divergent preferences (e.g., genetically compatible mates) provide one mechanism to maintain such variation. However, the relative contributions of these processes across episodes of selection remain unknown. Using Drosophila melanogaster, we followed the fate of male genotypes, previously scored for their overall reproductive value and their compatibility with different female genotypes, across pre- and postmating episodes of selection. When pairs of competitor males differed in their intrinsic quality and their compatibility with the female, both factors influenced outcomes from mating success to paternity but to a varying degree between stages. These results add further dimensions to our understanding of how the interactions betw...择偶背后的核心过程深刻影响着性选择的动态与雄性性征的演化。对特定表型的持续性偏好可通过定向选择侵蚀种群内的遗传变异，而差异化偏好（例如选择遗传适配性伴侣）则为维持这类遗传变异提供了一种机制。然而，目前学界仍不清楚这两类过程在不同选择事件中的相对贡献。本研究以黑腹果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）为实验对象，追踪了雄性基因型在交配前与交配后选择阶段的存续与传播情况——这些雄性基因型此前已被测定其整体繁殖价值，以及与不同雌性基因型的遗传适配性。当竞争雄性对的内在质量和与雌性的适配性存在差异时，这两个因素都会影响从交配成功率到父权分配的各项结果，但在不同选择阶段的影响程度存在差异。上述研究结果进一步拓展了我们对其交互作用如何……的认知