摘要：稳定选择推动了滥交雀形目鸟类精子长度的分化。

Digest: Stabilizing selection drives sperm length divergence in promiscuous passerines.

作者信息

Ottenburghs Jente

机构信息

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Forest Ecology and Forest Management, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

出版信息

Evolution. 2025 Feb 3;79(2):324-325. doi: 10.1093/evolut/qpae176.

DOI:10.1093/evolut/qpae176

PMID:39657576

Abstract

Divergence in gametic traits can play a key role in reproductive isolation. Lifjeld et al. (2025) examined the evolution of sperm length in pairs of songbird populations at various stages along the speciation continuum. Their analyses demonstrated that sperm length diverges more rapidly in species with higher levels of female promiscuity, likely due to stabilizing selection favoring sperm cells that fit within female sperm storage structures. This divergence in sperm length may kickstart speciation in promiscuous songbirds.

摘要

配子性状的差异在生殖隔离中可能起关键作用。利夫耶尔德等人（2025年）研究了处于物种形成连续统一体不同阶段的成对鸣禽种群中精子长度的进化。他们的分析表明，在雌性滥交程度较高的物种中，精子长度的差异更为迅速，这可能是由于稳定选择有利于适合雌性精子储存结构的精子细胞。精子长度的这种差异可能会引发滥交鸣禽的物种形成。