Abstract
Male fighting frequently results in the evolution of traits used as weapons. These are often coupled with correlated modifications in other somatic traits (hereafter referred to as supportive traits), which are thought to support the weapon functionally. No previous studies have investigated whether supportive traits themselves affect fighting success. We evaluated this possibility in two armed insects, the beetle . Gnatocerus cornutus and the bug . Riptortus pedestris. Using a principal components analysis, we identified a subset of supportive traits that were associated with weapons in both species. The patterns of supportive structures differed between the two species, probably reflecting differences in the use of weapons during fights. In both species, fighting success was higher in males with enhanced supportive traits. It appears that weapon-supportive structures develop as the result of selection that favours coordination among multiple traits associated with fighting behaviour. Thus, our results provide rare evidence of the benefit of a supportive trait that is a clear example of phenotypic integration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1001-1006 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Animal Behaviour |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2012 |
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Keywords
- Compensatory trait
- Correlational selection
- Exaggerated morphology
- Gnatocerus cornutus
- Male-male competition
- Morphological integration
- Riptortus pedestris
- Sexual selection
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Effect of weapon-supportive traits on fighting success in armed insects. / Okada, Yasukazu; Suzaki, Yû; Miyatake, Takahisa; Okada, Kensuke.
In: Animal Behaviour, Vol. 83, No. 4, 04.2012, p. 1001-1006.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of weapon-supportive traits on fighting success in armed insects
AU - Okada, Yasukazu
AU - Suzaki, Yû
AU - Miyatake, Takahisa
AU - Okada, Kensuke
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - Male fighting frequently results in the evolution of traits used as weapons. These are often coupled with correlated modifications in other somatic traits (hereafter referred to as supportive traits), which are thought to support the weapon functionally. No previous studies have investigated whether supportive traits themselves affect fighting success. We evaluated this possibility in two armed insects, the beetle . Gnatocerus cornutus and the bug . Riptortus pedestris. Using a principal components analysis, we identified a subset of supportive traits that were associated with weapons in both species. The patterns of supportive structures differed between the two species, probably reflecting differences in the use of weapons during fights. In both species, fighting success was higher in males with enhanced supportive traits. It appears that weapon-supportive structures develop as the result of selection that favours coordination among multiple traits associated with fighting behaviour. Thus, our results provide rare evidence of the benefit of a supportive trait that is a clear example of phenotypic integration.
AB - Male fighting frequently results in the evolution of traits used as weapons. These are often coupled with correlated modifications in other somatic traits (hereafter referred to as supportive traits), which are thought to support the weapon functionally. No previous studies have investigated whether supportive traits themselves affect fighting success. We evaluated this possibility in two armed insects, the beetle . Gnatocerus cornutus and the bug . Riptortus pedestris. Using a principal components analysis, we identified a subset of supportive traits that were associated with weapons in both species. The patterns of supportive structures differed between the two species, probably reflecting differences in the use of weapons during fights. In both species, fighting success was higher in males with enhanced supportive traits. It appears that weapon-supportive structures develop as the result of selection that favours coordination among multiple traits associated with fighting behaviour. Thus, our results provide rare evidence of the benefit of a supportive trait that is a clear example of phenotypic integration.
KW - Compensatory trait
KW - Correlational selection
KW - Exaggerated morphology
KW - Gnatocerus cornutus
KW - Male-male competition
KW - Morphological integration
KW - Riptortus pedestris
KW - Sexual selection
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84858744368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.01.021
DO - 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.01.021
M3 - Article
VL - 83
SP - 1001
EP - 1006
JO - Animal Behaviour
JF - Animal Behaviour
SN - 0003-3472
IS - 4
ER -