Experimental evidence for the evolution of the Mammalian baculum by sexual selection.

摘要: Male genitalia exhibit a taxonomically widespread pattern of rapid and divergent evolution. Sexual selection is generally believed to be responsible for these patterns evolutionary divergence, although empirical support the sexual hypothesis comes mainly from studies insects. Here we show that an divergence in baculum morphology among populations house mice Mus domesticus. We sourced three isolated known subject differing strengths postcopulatory bred them under common-garden conditions. Mice with strong had bacula were relatively thicker compared weak selection. used experimental evolution determine whether could ascribed After 27 generations evolution, subjected evolved than enforced monogamy. Our data thereby provide evidence underlies mammalian supports plays general role male genital across diverse taxonomic groups.