Mating Flour Beetles (IMAGE)
Caption
New research shows that removing sexual competition and choice through enforced monogamy creates populations that are less resilient to environmental stress, such as climate change. The research team looked at how flour beetles (pictured) coped with environmental and genetic stress after they had evolved under monogamous versus polyandrous mating patterns. The researchers say that their findings should apply to any species that reproduces sexually, experiences some degree of sexual selection, and faces environmental stress. They hope their work will help with conservation management, and where species are being bred in captivity.
Credit
University of East Anglia
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