A1 Journal article (refereed)
Daphnia females adjust sex allocation in response to current sex ratio and density (2018)
Booksmythe, I., Gerber, N., Ebert, D., & Kokko, H. (2018). Daphnia females adjust sex allocation in response to current sex ratio and density. Ecology Letters, 21(5), 629-637. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12929
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Booksmythe, Isobel; Gerber, Nina; Ebert, Dieter; Kokko, Hanna
Journal or series: Ecology Letters
ISSN: 1461-023X
eISSN: 1461-0248
Publication year: 2018
Volume: 21
Issue number: 5
Pages range: 629-637
Publisher: Blackwell Science
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12929
Research data link: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sb269
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/60786
Abstract
Cyclical parthenogenesis presents an interesting challenge for the study of sex allocation, as individuals’ allocation decisions involve both the choice between sexual and asexual reproduction, and the choice between sons and daughters. Male production is therefore expected to depend on ecological and evolutionary drivers of overall investment in sex, and those influencing male reproductive value during sexual periods. We manipulated experimental populations, and made repeated observations of natural populations over their growing season, to disentangle effects of population density and the timing of sex from effects of adult sex ratio on sex allocation in cyclically parthenogenetic Daphnia magna. Male production increased with population density, the major ecological driver of sexual reproduction; however, this response was dampened when the population sex ratio was more male‐biased. Thus, in line with sex ratio theory, we show that D. magna adjust offspring sex allocation in response to the current population sex ratio.
Keywords: asexual reproduction; parthenogenesis; sex determination; population dynamics; Cladocera; population density
Free keywords: cyclical parthenogen; Daphnia magna; sex allocation; sex ratio adjustment
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2018
JUFO rating: 3
