PO2_Expt2.csv from Male sexual signal predicts phenotypic plasticity in offspring: implications for the evolution of plasticity and local adaptation.

In a rapidly changing world, understanding the processes that influence a population's ability to respond to natural selection is critical for identifying how to preserve biodiversity. Two such processes are phenotypic plasticity and sexual selection. Whereas plasticity can facilitate local adaptation, sexual selection potentially impedes local adaptation, especially in rapidly changing or variable environments. Here we hypothesize that, when females preferentially choose males that sire plastic offspring, sexual selection can actually facilitate local adaptation to variable or novel environments by promoting the evolution of adaptive plasticity. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating whether male sexual signals could indicate plasticity in their offspring and, concomitantly, their offspring's ability to produce locally adapted phenotypes. Using spadefoot toads (Spea multiplicata) as our experimental system, we show that a male sexual signal predicts plasticity in his offspring's resource-use morphology. Specifically, faster-calling males (which are preferred by females) produce more plastic offspring; such plasticity, in turn, enables these males' offspring to respond adaptively to the spadefoots’ highly variable environment. The association between a preferred male signal and adaptive plasticity in his offspring suggests that female mate choice can favour the evolution and maintenance of phenotypic plasticity and thereby foster adaptation to a variable environment.This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change’.

在瞬息万变的全球背景下，解析影响种群应对自然选择能力的核心过程，对明确生物多样性保护路径至关重要。其中两类关键过程为表型可塑性（phenotypic plasticity）与性选择（sexual selection）：表型可塑性可促进局部适应，而性选择则可能阻碍局部适应，在快速变化或环境异质性较强的情境下尤为显著。本研究提出假说：当雌性优先选择能产生可塑性后代的雄性时，性选择实则可通过推动适应性可塑性的演化，助力种群在多变或全新环境中实现局部适应。我们通过检验雄性的性信号是否能够预示其后代的可塑性，以及后代产生局部适应性表型的能力，对该假说进行了验证。本研究以西部锄足蟾（Spea multiplicata）为实验体系，结果表明雄性的性信号可预示其后代的资源利用形态可塑性。具体而言，鸣叫速率更快的雄性（即雌性偏好的雄性）所产后代的可塑性更强；而这类可塑性可使该雄性的后代能够适应性地应对锄足蟾所处的高度多变环境。雌性偏好的雄性信号与其后代的适应性可塑性之间的关联显示，雌性配偶选择可推动表型可塑性的演化与维持，进而助力种群适应多变环境。本文属于“可塑性在表型适应快速环境变化中的作用”专题议题的组成部分。