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Dynamic effects of oviposition site on offspring sexually-selected traits and scaling relationships

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Abstract

The expression of sexually-selected traits such as bright plumage, exaggerated antlers, and elongated eyestalks can be highly influenced by environmental factors, including the behaviors of mothers. Many recent studies have described the ways that maternal behavior can influence the expression of sexually-selected traits in offspring, however, few studies have investigated if and how such maternal effects might change, over time, in natural populations. Here, we examine the influence of maternal oviposition site on the expression of offspring sexually-selected traits in four successive cohorts of the heliconia bug, Leptoscelis tricolor (Hemiptera: Coreidae). Female heliconia bugs lay eggs on multiple host plant species, and offspring remain on these plants for the entirety of growth and development. We found that natal plant species had significant effects on the expression of male sexually-selected traits and the degree of sexual dimorphism. Moreover, these effects changed over time for later cohorts, concurrent with changes in host plant resources. Our results suggest that maternal effects can be a significant and dynamic influence on the sexually-selected traits of offspring. Such environmental effects on sexually-selected traits could have broad implications for the processes and outcomes of sexual selection.

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Acknowledgments

We thank John Christy, Erick Greene, John Maron, Tom Martin, Timothy Mousseau, and Robert Fletcher for reviewing previous versions of the manuscript and for advice and support. We are grateful for dedicated fieldwork by Sonya Hollander, Enrique Espinosa, and Luke Bloch. Logistic and financial support was provided by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. A National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship also provided funding to C. W. M. for this project.

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  1. Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Christine W. Miller

  2. Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA

    Douglas J. Emlen

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  1. Christine W. Miller
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  2. Douglas J. Emlen
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Correspondence to Christine W. Miller.

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Miller, C.W., Emlen, D.J. Dynamic effects of oviposition site on offspring sexually-selected traits and scaling relationships. Evol Ecol 24, 375–390 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-009-9312-6

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