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Sexual conflict and speciation

Author

Listed:
  • Tom Tregenza

    (School of Biology, University of Leeds)

  • Roger K. Butlin

    (School of Biology, University of Leeds)

  • Nina Wedell

    (School of Biology, University of Leeds)

Abstract

Sexual conflict occurs because males are selected to produce as many offspring as possible, even if this means lowering the overall reproductive output of individual females. A new model proposed by Gavrilets1 suggests that strong asymmetries between males and females in the costs and benefits of mating will create runaway coevolution between the sexes, promoting rapid divergence between populations and hence speciation. This is an intriguing possibility, not least because it runs counter to existing models2 which suggest that greater sexual conflict will result in males mating more indiscriminately, breaking down reproductive barriers between divergent populations. One reason for this difference is that the new model is based on the idea that females can avoid costs of mating if they are incompatible with some males, whereas we suggest that in reality this may rarely be the case.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Tregenza & Roger K. Butlin & Nina Wedell, 2000. "Sexual conflict and speciation," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6801), pages 149-150, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:407:y:2000:i:6801:d:10.1038_35025138
    DOI: 10.1038/35025138
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