<p>Inbreeding, mating between close relatives, can lead to inbreeding depression, a reduction in fitness in inbred individuals. However, inbreeding’s impacts are not always shared equally across the sexes and an increasing number of studies demonstrate sex differences in inbreeding depression. However, the general direction of sex-specific inbreeding effects (i.e. which sex is more sensitive to inbreeding depression), and the mechanisms behind it are unclear. Here, we tested for sex-specific effects of inbreeding on morphological traits in the broad horned flour beetle <i>Gnatocerus cornutus</i>. One generation of full-sib mating led to noticeable changes in male trait values, evident in both multivariate trait combinations and some individual traits, whereas no single female trait was affected, although multivariate female trait combinations showed some inbreeding effects. Additionally, effect sizes were larger in males, suggesting they were more impacted by inbreeding, but the fitness consequences of this need to be established. We discuss the possible causes of male-female differences in inbreeding depression and variation across studies, highlighting the need for further empirical work to better understand sex-specific inbreeding effects.</p>

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Sex-specific effects of inbreeding in the broad horned flour beetle Gnatocerus cornutus

  • Hironori Shinohara,
  • Manmohan D. Sharma,
  • Kensuke Okada,
  • Ramakrishnan Vasudeva,
  • Tanya M. Pennell,
  • David J. Hosken

摘要

Inbreeding, mating between close relatives, can lead to inbreeding depression, a reduction in fitness in inbred individuals. However, inbreeding’s impacts are not always shared equally across the sexes and an increasing number of studies demonstrate sex differences in inbreeding depression. However, the general direction of sex-specific inbreeding effects (i.e. which sex is more sensitive to inbreeding depression), and the mechanisms behind it are unclear. Here, we tested for sex-specific effects of inbreeding on morphological traits in the broad horned flour beetle Gnatocerus cornutus. One generation of full-sib mating led to noticeable changes in male trait values, evident in both multivariate trait combinations and some individual traits, whereas no single female trait was affected, although multivariate female trait combinations showed some inbreeding effects. Additionally, effect sizes were larger in males, suggesting they were more impacted by inbreeding, but the fitness consequences of this need to be established. We discuss the possible causes of male-female differences in inbreeding depression and variation across studies, highlighting the need for further empirical work to better understand sex-specific inbreeding effects.