10.5061/DRYAD.5P19K
Allen, Pablo
Miller, Christine W.
University of Florida
Allen, Pablo E.
University of Florida
Data from: Novel host plant leads to the loss of sexual dimorphism in a
sexually-selected male weapon
Dryad
dataset
2017
body shape
condition-dependence
Opuntia robusta
Narnia femorata
present
Opuntia mesacantha
Holocene
National Science Foundation
https://ror.org/021nxhr62
IOS- 092685, IOS-1553100
2017-07-05T13:41:57Z
2017-07-05T13:41:57Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1269
82737 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
In this time of massive global change, species are now frequently
interacting with novel players. Greater insight into the impact of these
novel interactions on traits linked to fitness is essential, because
effects on these traits can hinder population existence or promote rapid
adaptation. Sexually-selected weapons and ornaments frequently influence
fitness and often have heightened condition-dependence in response to
nutrition. Condition-dependence in response to different ecological
conditions, a form of developmental plasticity, may be responsible for
much of the intraspecific variation in sexually selected ornaments and
weapons in wild populations. Here we examined the consequences of
developing on a novel plant for the expression of size and shape in the
leaf-footed cactus bug Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae). The males of
this species possess enlarged, sexually-dimorphic femurs on their hind
legs. These legs are used as weapons in male-male contests. Females are
typically larger in overall body size. Our study revealed that developing
upon a novel host can lead to pronounced phenotypically plastic change in
sexually-dimorphic traits. Male hind femurs were greatly impacted by the
novel diet to the extent that the sexual dimorphism in hind femurs was
lost. Further, dimorphism in body size increased, as males became tiny
adults while females better maintained their body size. These patterns
underscore the complex effects that novel species interactions may have on
sexual phenotypes.
Allen&Miller_SupportingDataThis is trait size data of Narnia
femorata (Coreidae) reared in lab conditions under two different fruit
diets. BugID=individual insects ID number. Host=fruit diet, local or
novel. Sex=female or male. Traits: PW=pronotum width, HL=head length,
BL=beak length, HFL=hind femur length, HFW=hind femur width, HFA=hind
femur area, HTA=hind tibia area, FFL=front femur length.
USA
Florida