A synthesis of major environmental-body size clines of the sexes within arthropod species

摘要: Body size at maturity often varies with environmental conditions, as well between males and females within a species [termed Sexual Size Dimorphism (SSD)]. Variation in body clines the sexes can determine degree to which SSD across gradients. We use meta-analytic approach investigate whether major biogeographical temporal (intra-annually seasons) differ systematically arthropods. consider 329 intra-specific gradients adult latitude, altitude seasonal temperature variation, representing 126 arthropod from 16 taxonomic orders. On average, we observe greater variability male than female consistent hypothesis that, over evolutionary time, directional selection has acted more strongly on size. In contrast, neither sex exhibits consistently proportional changes other altitudinal or gradients, akin earlier findings for plastic temperature-size responses measured laboratory. cannot be explained by range of potentially influential factors, including environment type (aquatic vs. terrestrial), voltinism, mean species’ size, SSD, gradient direction. Ultimately, if are make better sense patterns (or lack thereof) require detailed understanding underlying selective pressures driving Such will provide comprehensive hypothesis-driven explaining variation SSD.