Adaptive plasticity in female mate choice dampens sexual selection on male ornaments in the lark bunting

Theory on the evolution of ornamental male traits by sexual selection assumes consistency in selection over time. Temporal variation in female choice could dampen sexual selection, but scant information exists on the degree to which individual female preferences are flexible. Here we show that in lark buntings sexual selection on male traits varied dramatically across years and, in some cases, exhibited reversals in the direction of selection for a single trait. We show that these shifts are probably because of flexibility in mate choice by individual females and that they parallel shifts in the male traits that predict female reproductive success in a given year. Plasticity in choice and concomitant reversals in mating patterns across time may weaken the strength of sexual selection and could maintain genetic variation underlying multiple sexual ornaments.     

Negative frequency-dependent selection of sexually antagonistic alleles in Myodes glareolus

Sexually antagonistic genetic variation, where optimal values of traits are sex-dependent, is known to slow the loss of genetic variance associated with directional selection on fitness-related traits. However, sexual antagonism alone is not sufficient to maintain variation indefinitely. Selection of rare forms within the sexes can help to conserve genotypic diversity. We combined theoretical models and a field experiment with Myodes glareolus to show that negative frequency-dependent selection on male dominance maintains variation in sexually antagonistic alleles. In our experiment, high-dominance male bank voles were found to have low-fecundity sisters, and vice versa. These results show that investigations of sexually antagonistic traits should take into account the effects of social interactions on the interplay between ecology and evolution, and that investigations of genetic variation should not be conducted solely under laboratory conditions.     

Correlated Evolution of Female Mating Preferences and Male Color Patterns in the Guppy Poecilia reticulata

Sexual selection may explain why secondary sexual traits of males are so strongly developed in some species that they seem maladaptive. Female mate choice appears to favor the evolution of conspicuous color patterns in male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from Trinidad, but color patterns vary strikingly among populations. According to most theory, correlated evolution of female mating preferences and preferred male traits within populations could promote this kind of divergence between populations. But mating preferences could also constrain the evolution of male traits. In some guppy populations, females discriminate among males based on variation in the extent of orange pigment in male color patterns, and populations differ significantly in the degree offemale preferences for orange area. In a comparison ofseven populations, the degree offemale preference based on orange is correlated with the population average orange area. Thus male traits and female preferences appear to be evolving in parallel.     

Function, developmental genetics, and fitness consequences of a sexually antagonistic trait

Sexual conflict is thought to be a potent force driving the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits. In the water strider Rheumatobates rileyi, we show that elaborated traits on male antennae function to grasp resistant females during premating struggles. Using RNA interference, we uncovered novel roles of the gene distal-less (dll) in generating these male-specific traits. Furthermore, graded reduction of the grasping traits resulted in a graded reduction of mating success in males, thus demonstrating both selection for elaboration of the traits and the role of dll in their evolution. By establishing developmental genetic tools in model systems where sexual selection and conflict are understood, we can begin to reveal how selection can exploit ancient developmental genes to enable the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits.     

美洲黑杨杂交子代苗期性状遗传变异及选择

  目的  分析美洲黑杨Populus deltoides杂种苗期生长性状和叶片性状的遗传变异及遗传相关性，为杨树新品种选育提供材料。  方法  以美洲黑杨不同品种为亲本进行杂交试验，测定了9个杂交组合子代苗期生长性状和叶片性状，并通过方差分析、遗传参数估算、遗传相关分析及通径分析等，了解美洲黑杨杂种生长性状和叶片性状的遗传变异规律及性状间遗传互作，并依此开展美洲黑杨优良杂交组合的联合选择。  结果  杂交组合间3个生长性状与5个叶片性状存在显著(P＜0.05)或极显著(P＜0.01)差异。苗高、地径、材积与叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、叶周长、叶面积的家系遗传力均达0.8以上，受强度遗传控制，遗传变异系数为8.6%(叶长)~31.13%(材积)，有利于优良杂交组合的选择。相关分析表明:叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、叶周长、叶面积与苗高、地径、材积间均达极显著正遗传相关(P＜0.01)。相关遗传进度分析表明:除叶形指数、侧脉夹角和叶宽基距外，其他叶片性状对3个生长性状的遗传相关进度和间接选择效率较高。通径分析表明:苗高和地径对材积的直接遗传控制作用较大，叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、叶面积和叶周长通过苗高和地径对材积产生较大的间接遗传控制作用。利用综合指数选择法开展美洲黑杨9个杂交组合的生长与叶片性状联合选择，选出3个速生优质的杂交组合(B106×NL15、S3239×NL15、NL447×SY2)，材积遗传增益达26.90%。  结论  美洲黑杨杂交组合子代1年生苗的3个生长性状和5个叶片性状均存在丰富变异，遗传互作显著；苗高和地径对材积的直接作用最大，5个叶片性状对材积也产生较大的间接控制效应。综合指数选择法能有效地选出速生优质杂交组合，材积遗传增益较高，杨树遗传改良效果较好。表8参18     

胡麻两系杂交亲本的配合力及杂种优势分析

【目的】研究胡麻两系杂种优势的亲本配合力遗传基础,为胡麻两系杂交种亲本选配提供理论依据。【方法】选用7份温敏型雄性不育系和11份国内外主栽油用及纤用亚麻优良品种为亲本材料,按照遗传交配设计NCⅡ不完全双列杂交设计配置77（7×11）份杂交组合,利用DPS软件分析两系胡麻杂交亲本14个主要农艺性状和品质性状的遗传效应、亲本一般配合力（GCA）和特殊配合力（SCA）效应及与杂种优势的关系。【结果】胡麻两系杂交组合主要农艺性状和品质性状存在显著的遗传差异,其主要表现为加性基因效应遗传的性状有：株高、工艺长度、分茎数、分枝数、每果粒数、千粒重和含油率、油酸、亚油酸、硬脂酸、棕榈酸;同时受加性和非加性基因效应共同影响的性状有：单株果数、单株产量和亚麻酸组分。主要农艺性状与品质性状的狭义遗传力大小顺序分别为：工艺长度>千粒重>株高>每果粒数>分枝数>单株产量>分茎数>单株果数;含油率>亚麻酸>硬脂酸>棕榈酸>亚油酸>油酸。亲本一般配合力（GCA）和特殊配合力（SCA）在同一亲本（组合）的不同性状间和同一性状的不同亲本（组合）间存在较大差异,且亲本的GCA效应与SCA效应没有直接的关系。在供试的18份亲本材料中,不育系113S、16-1-1-2、24-1-1-1、T-11和1S,恢复系陇亚10号、天亚9号、轮选3号、Macbeth和AC Watson在某些农艺和品质性状上具有较突出的一般配合力（GCA）效应,是较优的亲本材料。所组配的77份杂交组合14个主要农艺性状和品质性状存在广泛的超亲优势和竞争优势,优势大小因性状而异,其竞争优势与亲本一般配合力（GCA）和特殊配合力（SCA）呈极显著正相关,且与亲本GCA的相关性多高于SCA,与恢复系的GCA相关性多高于不育系,强优势组合的特点是双亲或亲本之一具有较高的GCA效应,或具有较高的SCA效应。此外,亲本GCA效应,特别是恢复系的GCA效应对杂种优势的贡献要明显高于不育系。【结论】胡麻两系杂种优势表现与亲本一般配合力（GCA）和特殊配合力（SCA）紧密相关,其亲本一般配合力（GCA）,特别是亲本一般配合力（GCA）高的恢复系的选配,是组配强优势胡麻两系杂交育种的关键。     

高油大豆新品种晋大70的选育与评价

晋大70大豆新品种是山西农业大学大豆研究室于1992年以复61为母本、晋豆16号为父本进行有性杂交,采用系谱法选育而成的。该品种脂肪含量22.06%,蛋白质含量41.18%,高抗大豆花叶病毒、抗旱性一级、抗孢囊线虫病、高产稳产、综合性状优良。2003年由国家农作物品种审定委员会审定通过。本文报导晋大70的选育与试验结果,并对关键育种技术进行了探讨。     

新铁炮百合主要性状的相关分析和相关遗传进度

结新铁炮百合（Lilium formolongi）22个主要性状进行了相关分析，结果表明：生殖性状内部或营养性状内部存在显著或极显著相,关营养性状与性殖性状间具有显著相关，无极显著相关；遗传相关进度的研究表明：采用单个性状选择其间接选择效果不会理想，为此必须对不同性状组合进行综合选择。     

几个优良籼稻亲本品质配合力和杂种优势分析

以3个不育系和10个恢复系为材料,采用NCII交配设计研究10个米质性状的配合力和杂种优势,结果表明:(1)大多数品质性状介于双亲之间,除粒重表现一定的超高亲优势,垩白度和粒宽表现一定的正向平均优势外,其它品质性状优势不明显。(2)杂种稻米的品质性状主要受不育系或恢复系的影响,其中,对于粒长、粒宽和直链淀粉含量这3个性状,不育系的影响要高于恢复系,而对于整精米率、粒重、垩白率、垩白度和糊化温度,则表现为恢复系的影响要高于不育系。(3)就优质育种的利用价值而言,不育系中以广占63-4S为好,而恢复系中则以扬稻6号为好,蜀恢527、镇恢084次之,用上述亲本选配的杂交组合米质较好;恢复系特青、盐恢559表现为一般配合力效应差,特殊配合力方差小,优质育种利用价值不大。     

库尔勒香梨杂种实生苗性状分离初步研究

[目的]寻求库尔勒香梨杂交植株性状早期选择的有效指标.[方法]观察12个库尔勒香梨杂交组合一年生实生苗的叶形、叶基、叶缘、叶脉、叶片颜色等叶片形态特征,测定各杂种实生苗组合的株高、地径、叶长、叶宽、叶柄长等相关植株性状,对杂交组合间植株性状分离变异状况及差异程度进行分析.[结果]12个库尔勒香梨杂交组合中,父本为早酥、晋蜜、翠冠、酸梨生长势较强,父本为81-15-10杂交组合叶片出现明显变异,呈掌状缺刻形,一年生杂种实生苗在组合内各性状存在分离变异,其中叶片大小和株高变异系数最大,可以作为杂交苗植株性状早期选择的有效指标.[结论]库尔勒香梨杂种实生苗组合内各植株性状的分离表现结果,可为库尔勒香梨杂交育种的早期性状鉴定和选择提供理论依据.     

Sex chromosome-linked species recognition and evolution of reproductive isolation in flycatchers

Interbreeding between species (hybridization) typically produces unfit offspring. Reduced hybridization should therefore be favored by natural selection. However, this is difficult to accomplish because hybridization also sets the stage for genetic recombination to dissociate species-specific traits from the preferences for them. Here we show that this association is maintained by physical linkage (on the same chromosome) in two hybridizing Ficedula flycatchers. By analyzing the mating patterns of female hybrids and cross-fostered offspring, we demonstrate that species recognition is inherited on the Z chromosome, which is also the known location of species-specific male plumage traits and genes causing low hybrid fitness. Limited recombination on the Z chromosome maintains associations of Z-linked genes despite hybridization, suggesting that the sex chromosomes may be a hotspot for adaptive speciation.     

枣树杂交育种研究进展

枣树是中国独有的乡土树种,由于现有枣树品种大多存在缺陷,生产上迫切需要通过杂交的手段将不同枣树品种的优良性状整合起来,培育综合性状优良的新品种.但是枣树花小,人工去雄易伤害花器官,花量大而坐果率低,存在胚败育现象等问题都制约着枣树杂交育种工作的发展.该文综述了枣树开花、花粉萌发、生殖生理等方面的生物学特性,从枣树杂交育种的必要性、杂交方法和亲本选择等方面对枣树杂交育种研究进行了探讨,并对通过局部隔离法获得的枣树实生后代的性状遗传规律进行了总结,同时,根据目前枣树杂交育种的研究现状和科研环境,以及枣树转基因研究的不断深入,对枣树杂交育种发展的前景做了展望.     

Sperm-female coevolution in Drosophila

Rapid evolution of reproductive traits has been attributed to sexual selection arising from interaction between the sexes. However, little is known about the nature of selection driving the evolution of interacting sex-specific phenotypes. Using populations of Drosophila melanogaster selected for divergent sperm length or female sperm-storage organ length, we experimentally show that male fertilization success is determined by an interaction between sperm and female morphology. In addition, sperm length evolution occurred as a correlated response to selection on the female reproductive tract. Giant sperm tails are the cellular equivalent of the peacock's tail, having evolved because females evolved reproductive tracts that selectively bias paternity in favor of males with longer sperm.     

Female preference predates the evolution of the sword in swordtail fish

The study of female preferences and the evolution of male traits has until recently centered on genetic coevolutionary mechanisms. An alternative mechanism posits that a preference results from a preestablished bias in the female information-processing system arising from sources independent of sexual selection. Male traits then arise that are selected by this preexisting preference. The genus Xiphophorus consists of swordless platyfish and swordtails. Swordlessness is the primitive state. In this study, female platyfish, X. maculatus, were found to prefer conspecific males with artificial swords over those without swords, despite evidence that the common ancestor of platyfish and swordtails was swordless. These results suggest that the evolution of the sword in the swordtail clade was a consequence of selection arising from a preexisting bias.     

高粱恢复系遗传改良策略和进展

高粱高产杂交种要有优良恢复系与不育系组配而成。优良恢复系具有恢复能力强、配合力高、雄性器官发达、花粉量大、上好的农艺性状和抗性性状。恢复系的遗传改良从地方品种筛选逐步升级为杂交选育和诱变选育。选育的类型包括恢复不同不育细胞质的恢复系以及高产型、饲用型、甜秆型、微量营养素含量高型、耐酸碱土型恢复系等。恢复系的育性恢复遗传因不育细胞质不同而有差异,有的由1个基因控制,有的由2、3或4个基因控制。恢复系在地理和分类学上表现出遗传多样性。     

油用亚麻两系杂交种产量表现及不育株率对产量的影响

通过田间试验,对几个利用温敏雄性不育亚麻雄性不育系配制的杂交种的产量表现及不育株率和不育株率对产量的影响进行了分析。结果表明,亚麻杂交种和常规品种相比,具有显著产量优势。不育株和正常可育株相比,产量性状明显偏低,因此,杂交种不育株率的高低将影响杂交种的产量。     

陆地棉分子标记辅助轮回选择聚合育种——Ⅰ.群体创建与基础群体的评价

 以抗黄萎病轮回选择基因库g2中的不育株为主体亲本,分别与高强纤维品系P7235、抗黄萎病种质P60182转Bt基因抗虫棉山西Bt(SHXBt)和中心Bt(ZHXBt)杂交后再进行聚合杂交,合成用于分子标记辅助选择的基础群体C0。随后进行分子标记辅助选择和表型选择,共获得P1、M1、MP1、P2、M2和MP2等6个选择群体。分析C0群体中的3种分子标记,发现基础群体C0的遗传基础是平衡的。将C0、g2与对照SU12进行比较,C0群体的抗虫性和各纤维品质性状均显著或极显著优于g2和SU12,早熟性和产量性状不显     

From teosinte to maize: the catastrophic sexual transmutation

An alternative to the theory that the ear of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) evolved from a slender female ear of a Mexican annual teosinte holds that it was derived from the central spike of a male teosinte inflorescence (tassel) which terminates the primary lateral branches. This alternative hypothesis is more consistent with morphology and explains the anomalous lack of significant genetic and biochemical differences between these taxa. Maize, the only cereal with unisexual inflorescences, evolved through a sudden epigenetic sexual transmutation involving condensation of primary branches, which brought their tassels into the zone of female expression, leading to strong apical dominance and a catastrophic shift in nutrient allocation. Initially, this quantum change may have involved no new mutations, but rather genetic assimilation under human selection of an abnormality, perhaps environmentally triggered.     

Bacterial immunity traded for sperm viability in male crickets

The notion that a trade-off exists between immunity and reproduction is now a central concept in theories of sexual selection. However, whether such a trade-off exists between immunity and gamete viability has not been established. Here we show that genetic variance for high levels of an immune response required to fight bacterial infections is associated with genetic variance for low sperm viability. These data have implications for our understanding of sexual selection mechanisms and of reproductive costs in male longevity.     

大豆异地衍生RIL群体主要数量性状的自然选择效应

 【目的】探明大豆杂交组合在不同生态条件下衍生重组自交系群体的遗传结构的差异及其成因。【方法】以Peking×7605、RN-9×7605两个组合分别在南京和济南衍生的RIL群体为材料,比较同一杂交组合在两地衍生群体主要数量性状的表型差异,鉴别大豆主要数量性状不同生态环境条件下的自然选择效应。【结果】Peking×7605组合衍生的两个群体在南京和济南种植,其株高和分枝数均表现出显著差异;RN-9×7605组合衍生的两个RIL群体在南京和济南种植,其分枝数、有效荚数、单株粒数和百粒重等表现均差异显著。【结论】上述性状发生了明显的自然选择效应,经表型方差分解证实性状差异由群体间遗传结构存在的真实差异造成。