Parent-offspring conflict and the genetic trade-offs shaping parental investment

作者：Koelliker Mathias; Boos Stefan; Wong Janine W Y; Roellin Lilian; Stucki Dimitri; Raveh Shirley; Wu Min; Meunier Joel

来源：Nature Communications, 2015, 6(1): 6850.

DOI：10.1038/ncomms7850

The genetic conflict between parents and their offspring is a cornerstone of kin selection theory and the gene-centred view of evolution, but whether it actually occurs in natural systems remains an open question. Conflict operates only if parenting is driven by genetic trade-offs between offspring performance and the parent's ability to raise additional offspring, and its expression critically depends on the shape of these trade-offs. Here we investigate the occurrence and nature of genetic conflict in an insect with maternal care, the earwig Forficula auricularia. Specifically, we test for a direct response to experimental selection on female future reproduction and correlated responses in current offspring survival, developmental rate and growth. The results demonstrate genetic trade-offs that differ in shape before and after hatching. Our study not only provides direct evidence for parent-offspring conflict but also highlights that conflict is not inevitable and critically depends on the genetic trade-offs shaping parental investment.

• 出版日期2015-4