A1 Journal article (refereed)
Bateman gradients from first principles (2022)

Lehtonen, J. (2022). Bateman gradients from first principles. Nature Communications, 13, Article 3591. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30534-x

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lehtonen, Jussi

Journal or series: Nature Communications

eISSN: 2041-1723

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 23/06/2022

Volume: 13

Article number: 3591

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30534-x

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82688

Abstract

In 1948, Angus Bateman presented experiments and concepts that remain influential and debated in sexual selection. The Bateman gradient relates reproductive success to mate number, and Bateman presented this as the cause of intra-masculine selection. A deeper causal level was subsequently asserted: that the ultimate cause of sex differences in Bateman gradients is the sex difference in gamete numbers, an argument that remains controversial and without mathematical backup. Here I develop models showing how asymmetry in gamete numbers alone can generate steeper Bateman gradients in males. This conclusion remains when the further asymmetry of internal fertilisation is added to the model and fertilisation is efficient. Strong gamete limitation can push Bateman gradients towards equality under external fertilisation and reverse them under internal fertilisation. Thus, this study provides a mathematical formalisation of Bateman’s brief verbal claim, while demonstrating that the link between gamete number and Bateman gradients is not inevitable nor trivial.

Keywords: evolutionary ecology; evolution theory; sexual selection; cultural evolution

Free keywords: evolutionary ecology; evolutionary theory; sexual selection; social evolution

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 3