BYU ScholarsArchive

Title

Does Negative Frequency-Dependent Selection Maintain Gonopodial Asymmetry in Xenophallus umbratilis?

Authors

Mary-Elise Johnson, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow
Erik S. Johnson, Brigham Young University - Provo
Jerald B. Johnson, Brigham Young University - Provo

Files

Keywords

evolution, diversity, variation, Poeciliidae, behavior

Abstract

How does negative frequency-dependent selection emerge in populations?

The idea of negative frequency-dependent selection is elegant and simple: Traits are evolutionarily favored when they are rare but disfavored when they become common. This can theoretically lead to oscillations in the ratios of morphs within populations. Unfortunately, there is still little evidence that this process occurs in the wild. The live bearing fish Xenophallus umbratilis exhibits uniquely asymetrical morphology in the male mating structure, called a gonopodium. In this species, the gonopodium terminates with either a dextral (right-handed) or sinistral (left handed) twist, suggesting that mating within this species could be lateralized. Given this unique asymmetry, we propose that X. umbratilis is a candidate species to test for negative frequency-dependent selection.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Johnson, Mary-Elise; Johnson, Erik S.; and Johnson, Jerald B., "Does Negative Frequency-Dependent Selection Maintain Gonopodial Asymmetry in Xenophallus umbratilis?" (2020). Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2020. 19.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/library_studentposters_2020/19

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2020-04-03

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

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