Inbreeding depression and genetic load of sexually selected traits: how the guppy lost its spots

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2003.00511.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T04:50:43Z
• Authors: C. Van Oosterhout; R. E. Trigg; G. R. Carvalho; A. E. Magurran; L. Hauser; P. W. Shaw
• Keywords: Guppy; Genetic load; Directional selection; Outbreeding depression

Abstract To date, few studies have investigated the effects of inbreeding on sexually selected traits, although depression such traits can play an important role in evolution and ecology wild populations. Sexually as ornamentation courtship behaviour may not be primary fitness characters, but selection dominance coefficients their mutations will resemble those under natural selection. Strong directional selection, for instance, through female mate-choice, purges all most recessive deleterious mutations, remaining variation result once populations undergo bottlenecks. We analysed (colour pattern behaviour) male guppy, Poecilia reticulata, from Trinidad, found a significant decline frequency mating colour spots. Such occurred genetic basis these many which are Y-linked hemizygous, would expected to leave relatively little scope depression. Findings suggest that could reflect condition or health males, thus informative mate-cue characters choice suggested by ‘good genes’ model.