Thermal phenotypic plasticity of pre- and post-copulatory male harm buffers sexual conflict in wild Drosophila melanogaster

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.84759
• Publication Date: 2023-04-27T12:00:16Z
• Authors: Claudia Londoño-N...; Roberto García-Roa; Clara Garcia-Co; Paula González; Pau Carazo
• Keywords: Experimental Evolution; Harassment

Strong sexual selection frequently leads to conflict and ensuing male harm, whereby males increase their reproductive success at the expense of harming females. Male harm is a widespread evolutionary phenomenon with strong bearing on population viability. Thus, understanding how it unfolds in wild current priority. Here, we sampled Drosophila melanogaster studied across normal range temperatures under which reproduces optimally nature by comparing female lifetime underlying mechanisms monogamy (i.e. low competition/harm) vs. polyandry high competition/harm). While females had equal monogamy, resulted maximum decrease fitness 24°C (35%), reducing its impact both 20°C (22%), 28°C (10%). Furthermore, components pre- harassment) post-copulatory ejaculate toxicity) were asymmetrically affected temperature. At 20°C, harassment was reduced, accelerated actuarial aging. In contrast, effect mating receptivity (a component 28°C, where costs for decreased mostly We thus show that, natural thermal range, processes effects are plastic complex. As result, net overall viability likely be lower than previously surmised. discuss such plasticity may affect selection, adaptation and, ultimately, rescue warming climate.