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Evolutionary Ecology of Fixed Alternative Male Mating Strategies in the Ruff (Calidris pugnax)

Evolutionary Ecology of Fixed Alternative Male Mating Strategies in the Ruff (Calidris pugnax)

Authors :
Michel Baguette
Baptiste Bataille
Virginie M. Stevens
Source :
Diversity, Vol 14, Iss 4, p 307 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

A few empirical examples document fixed alternative male mating strategies in animals. Here we focus on the polymorphism of male mating strategies in the ruff (Calidris pugnax, Aves Charadriiformes). In ruffs, three fixed alternative male mating strategies coexist and are signaled by extreme plumage polymorphism. We first present relevant data on the biology of the species. Then we review the available knowledge of the behavioral ecology of ruffs during the breeding season, and we detail the characteristics of each of the three known fixed male mating strategies. We next turn to the results of exceptional quality accumulated on both the structural and functional genomics of the ruff over the past few years. We show how much these genomic data can shed new, mechanistic light on the evolution and maintenance of the three fixed alternative male mating strategies. We then look if there is sufficient indication to support frequency-dependent selection as a key mechanism in maintaining these three strategies. Specifically, we search for evidence of equal fitness among individuals using each of the three strategies. Finally, we propose three lines of research avenues that will help to understand the eco-evolutionary dynamics of phenotypic differences within natural populations of this iconic model species.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14242818
Volume :
14
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Diversity
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.848d1153e04b03adf6dd4184eba867
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040307