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


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Publication details

All authors or editorsLehtonen, Jussi

Journal or seriesNature Communications

eISSN2041-1723

Publication year2022

Publication date23/06/2022

Volume13

Article number3591

PublisherNature Publishing Group

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30534-x

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessOpen 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.


Keywordsevolutionary ecologyevolution theorysexual selectioncultural evolution

Free keywordsevolutionary ecology; evolutionary theory; sexual selection; social evolution


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Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2022

JUFO rating3


Last updated on 2024-12-10 at 13:30