Towards a resolution of the lek paradox

Kotiaho, Janne S.; Simmons, Leigh W.; Tomkins, Joseph L.

doi:10.1038/35070557

Cited by 301Animal Behavior and ReproductionEvolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorInsect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

Towards a resolution of the lek paradox

Kotiaho, Janne S., Simmons, Leigh W., Tomkins, Joseph L.·2001·Nature

DOI 10.1038/35070557

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Genetic benefits in the shape of 'good genes' have been invoked to explain costly female choice in the absence of direct fitness benefits. Little genetic variance in fitness traits is expected, however, because directional selection tends to drive beneficial alleles to fixation. There seems to be little potential, therefore, for female choice to result in genetic benefits, giving rise to the 'lek paradox'. Nevertheless, evidence shows that genetic variance persists despite directional selection and genetic benefits of female choice are frequently reported. A theoretical solution to the lek paradox has been proposed on the basis of two assumptions: that traits are condition-dependent, and that condition shows high genetic variance. The observed genetic variability in sexual traits will be accounted for, because a proportion of the genetic variance in condition will be captured and expressed in the trait. Here we report results from experiments showing that male courtship rate in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus is a condition-dependent trait that is preferred by females. More importantly, male condition has high genetic variance and is genetically correlated with courtship rate. Our results thereby represent a significant step towards a resolution of the lek paradox.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/35070557

Cites

33 of 33 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

No studies have addressed how genetic diversity might be maintained over time for BSF in light of the lekking paradox.
“Thus far, no studies have addressed how genetic diversity might be maintained over time for BSF in light of the lekking paradox (Kotiaho et al. 2001).”
From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Kotiaho et al. 2001

Introduction to Quantitative Genetics.
Edwards, A. W. F., & Falconer, D. S. (1982) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2529912 · Cited by 21,447 · see citing works
The genetical theory of natural selection
Fisher, R. A. (1930) · doi:10.5962/bhl.title.27468 · Cited by 17,617 · see citing works
Sexual Selection
Andersson, M. (1994) · Princeton University Press eBooks · doi:10.1515/9780691207278 · Cited by 7,911 · see citing works
Comparing evolvability and variability of quantitative traits.
Houle, D. (1992) · Genetics · doi:10.1093/genetics/130.1.195 · Cited by 1,984 · see citing works
Introduction to Quantitative Genetics.
Edwards, J. H., & Falconer, D. S. (1960) · Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A (General) · doi:10.2307/2342481 · Cited by 1,812 · see citing works
Sexual Selection and Reproductive Competition in Insects
(1979) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-108750-0.x5001-0 · Cited by 1,694 · see citing works
The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection.
H., A. B., & Fisher, R. A. (1931) · Journal Of The Royal Statistical Society · doi:10.2307/2341823 · Cited by 1,595 · see citing works
The lek paradox and the capture of genetic variance by condition dependent traits
(1996) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1996.0207 · Cited by 1,461 · see citing works
The evolution of mating preferences and the paradox of the lek
Kirkpatrick, M., & Ryan, M. J. (1991) · Nature · doi:10.1038/350033a0 · Cited by 1,319 · see citing works
Evolutionary quantitative genetics
(1998) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.35-5054 · Cited by 1,307 · see citing works
ON THE MEASUREMENT OF NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION: THEORY
Arnold, S. J., & Wade, M. J. (1984) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.1984.tb00344.x · Cited by 1,268 · see citing works
Estimating Fitness: A Comparison of Body Condition Indices
Jakob, E. M., Marshall, S. D., & Uetz, G. W. (1996) · Oikos · doi:10.2307/3545585 · Cited by 1,258 · see citing works
Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics
Roff, D. A. (1997) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-4080-9 · Cited by 1,118 · see citing works
ESTIMATING THE FORM OF NATURAL SELECTION ON A QUANTITATIVE TRAIT
Schluter, D. (1988) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.1988.tb02507.x · Cited by 770 · see citing works
Differential allocation: tests, mechanisms and implications
Sheldon, B. C. (2000) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(00)01953-4 · Cited by 707 · see citing works
EVOLUTION OF CONDITION-DEPENDENT SEX ORNAMENTS AND MATING PREFERENCES: SEXUAL SELECTION BASED ON VIABILITY DIFFERENCES
Andersson, M. (1986) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.1986.tb00540.x · Cited by 639 · see citing works
On the resolution of the lek paradox
Kotiaho, J. S., LeBas, N. R., Puurtinen, M., & Tomkins, J. L. (2008) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2007.09.012 · Cited by 619 · see citing works
Self-citation
SEXUAL SELECTION, HONEST ADVERTISEMENT AND THE HANDICAP PRINCIPLE: REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE
Johnstone, R. A. (1995) · Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society · doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1995.tb01439.x · Cited by 619 · see citing works
A resolution of the lek paradox
Pomiankowski, A., & Møller, A. P. (1995) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1995.0054 · Cited by 564 · see citing works
Male Attractiveness and Differential Testosterone Investment in Zebra Finch Eggs
Gil, D., Graves, J. A., Hazon, N., & Wells, A. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.286.5437.126 · Cited by 537 · see citing works
Good-genes effects in sexual selection
Møller, A. P., & Alatalo, R. V. (1999) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0607 · Cited by 533 · see citing works
Egg investment is influenced by male attractiveness in the mallard
Cunningham, E. J. A., & Russell, A. F. (2000) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35003565 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Condition-dependent signalling of genetic variation in stalk-eyed flies
David, P., Bjorksten, T. A., Fowler, K., & Pomiankowski, A. (2000) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35018079 · Cited by 307 · see citing works
Paternal genetic contribution to offspring condition predicted by size of male secondary sexual character
Sheldon, B. C., Merilä, J., Qvarnström, A., Gustafsson, L., & Ellegren, H. (1997) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1997.0042 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Environmental determination of a sexually selected trait
Griffith, S. C., Owens, I. P. F., & Burke, T. A. (1999) · Nature · doi:10.1038/22536 · Cited by 260 · see citing works
Testing the assumptions of conditional handicap theory: costs and condition dependence of a sexually selected trait
Kotiaho, J. S. (2000) · Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology · doi:10.1007/s002650000221 · Cited by 208 · see citing works
Self-citation
Patterns of fluctuating asymmetry in beetle horns: an experimental examination of the honest signalling hypothesis
Hunt, J., & Simmons, L. W. (1997) · Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology · doi:10.1007/s002650050370 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Self-citation
The lek paradox is not resolved
Taylor, P., & Williams, G. C. (1982) · Theoretical Population Biology · doi:10.1016/0040-5809(82)90052-1 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Estimating Fitness: Comparison of Body Condition Indices Revisited
Kotiaho, J. S. (1999) · Oikos · doi:10.2307/3546755 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Self-citation
Genetic Variation in Offspring Condition: An Experiment
Merilä, J. (1996) · Functional Ecology · doi:10.2307/2389939 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Evolution of genetic variation for condition-dependent traits in stalk-eyed flies
Wilkinson, G. S., & Taper, M. L. (1999) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0832 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Mate choice for offspring performance: major benefits or minor costs?
Alatalo, R. V., Kotiaho, J. S., Mappes, J., & Parri, S. (1998) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1998.0574 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Self-citation
Genetic variation and natural selection on blue tit body condition in different environments
Merilä, J., Przybylo, R., & Sheldon, B. C. (1999) · Genetics Research · doi:10.1017/s0016672398003656 · Cited by 47 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

The evolution of mate choice and mating biases
Kokko, H., Brooks, R. C., Jennions, M. D., & Morley, J. I. (2003) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2235 · Cited by 933 · see citing works
Phenotypic integration: studying the ecology and evolution of complex phenotypes
Pigliucci, M. (2003) · Ecology Letters · doi:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00428.x · Cited by 815 · see citing works
Do sexual ornaments demonstrate heightened condition-dependent expression as predicted by the handicap hypothesis?
Cotton, S., Fowler, K., & Pomiankowski, A. (2004) · Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2688 · Cited by 625 · see citing works
On the resolution of the lek paradox
Kotiaho, J. S., LeBas, N. R., Puurtinen, M., & Tomkins, J. L. (2008) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2007.09.012 · Cited by 619 · see citing works
Self-citation
Genic capture and resolving the lek paradox
Tomkins, J. L., Radwan, J., Kotiaho, J. S., & Tregenza, T. (2004) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2004.03.029 · Cited by 581 · see citing works
Self-citation
The sexual selection continuum
Kokko, H., Brooks, R. C., McNamara, J. M., & Houston, A. I. (2002) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2020 · Cited by 483 · see citing works
High-quality male field crickets invest heavily in sexual display but die young
Hunt, J., Brooks, R. C., Jennions, M. D., Smith, M. J., Bentsen, C. L., & Bussière, L. F. (2004) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature03084 · Cited by 467 · see citing works
Female Mate Choice as a Condition‐Dependent Life‐History Trait
Hunt, J., Brooks, R. C., & Jennions, M. D. (2005) · The American Naturalist · doi:10.1086/430672 · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Polyandry as a mediator of sexual selection before and after mating
Kvarnemo, C., & Simmons, L. W. (2013) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2012.0042 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Self-citation
Orientation of the Genetic Variance‐Covariance Matrix and the Fitness Surface for Multiple Male Sexually Selected Traits
Blows, M. W., Chenoweth, S. F., & Hine, E. (2004) · The American Naturalist · doi:10.1086/381941 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Genetic similarity and quality interact in mate choice decisions by female mice
Roberts, S. C., & Gosling, L. M. (2003) · Nature Genetics · doi:10.1038/ng1231 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Sexy to die for? Sexual selection and the risk of extinction
Kokko, H., & Brooks, R. C. (2003) · ANU Open Research (Australian National University) · Cited by 217 · see citing works
Condition dependence of pheromones and immune function in the grain beetle Tenebrio molitor
Rantala, M. J., Kortet, R., Kotiaho, J. S., Vainikka, A., & Suhonen, J. (2003) · Functional Ecology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2435.2003.00764.x · Cited by 202 · see citing works
Self-citation
EVOLUTION OF EJACULATES: PATTERNS OF PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC VARIATION AND CONDITION DEPENDENCE IN SPERM COMPETITION TRAITS
Simmons, L. W., & Kotiaho, J. S. (2002) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2002.tb01474.x · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Self-citation
Direct selection on male attractiveness and female preference fails to produce a response
Hall, M. D., Lindholm, A. K., & Brooks, R. C. (2004) · BMC Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1186/1471-2148-4-1 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Condition dependence of a multicomponent sexual signal in the field cricket Gryllus campestris
Scheuber, H., Jacot, A., & Brinkhof, M. W. G. (2003) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1006/anbe.2003.2083 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Adaptive speciation theory: a conceptual review
Weissing, F. J., Edelaar, P., & van Doorn, G. S. (2011) · Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology · doi:10.1007/s00265-010-1125-7 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
SEXUAL SELECTION, GENETIC ARCHITECTURE, AND THE CONDITION DEPENDENCE OF BODY SHAPE IN THE SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC FLY PROCHYLIZA XANTHOSTOMA (PIOPHILIDAE)
Russell Bonduriansky, A., & Rowe, L. (2005) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb00901.x · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Condition-dependent signaling affects male sexual attractiveness in field crickets, Gryllus campestris
Holzer, B. (2003) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/14.3.353 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
EVOLUTIONARY REDUCTION IN TESTES SIZE AND COMPETITIVE FERTILIZATION SUCCESS IN RESPONSE TO THE EXPERIMENTAL REMOVAL OF SEXUAL SELECTION IN DUNG BEETLES
Simmons, L. W., & García–González, F. (2008) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2008.00479.x · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Self-citation
Interspecific aggression and character displacement in the damselfly Calopteryx splendens
Tynkkynen, K., Rantala, M. J., & Suhonen, J. (2004) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00733.x · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Reproductive skew and selection on female ornamentation in social species
Rubenstein, D. R., & Lovette, I. J. (2009) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature08614 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Genetic variance in female condition predicts indirect genetic variance in male sexual display traits
Petfield, D., Chenoweth, S. F., Rundle, H. D., & Blows, M. W. (2005) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0409378102 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Longevity cost of reproduction for males but no longevity cost of mating or courtship for females in the male-dimorphic dung beetle Onthophagus binodis
Kotiaho, J. S., & Simmons, L. W. (2003) · Journal of Insect Physiology · doi:10.1016/s0022-1910(03)00117-3 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Self-citation
THE ROLES OF NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION DURING ADAPTATION TO A NOVEL ENVIRONMENT
Rundle, H. D., Chenoweth, S. F., & Blows, M. W. (2006) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2006.tb01859.x · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Genetic Tools for Studying Adaptation and the Evolution of Behavior
Boake, C. R. B., Arnold, S. J., Breden, F. J., Meffert, L. M., Ritchie, M. G., Taylor, B. J., Wolf, J. B., & Moore, A. J. (2002) · The American Naturalist · doi:10.1086/342902 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
META-ANALYSIS SUGGESTS CHOOSY FEMALES GET SEXY SONS MORE THAN “GOOD GENES”
Prokop, Z. M., Michalczyk, Ł., Drobniak, S. M., Herdegen‐Radwan, M., & Radwan, J. (2012) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01654.x · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Supernatural Agents
Pyysiäinen, I. (2009) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195380026.001.0001 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Quantitative genetic evidence that males trade attractiveness for ejaculate quality in guppies
Evans, J. P. (2010) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.0826 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Recombination and the divergence of hybridizing species.
Ortíz-Barrientos, D., Reiland, J., Hey, J., & Noor, M. A. F. (2002) · PubMed · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Modelling for Field Biologists and Other Interesting People
Kokko, H. (2007) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511811388 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
The Genetics of Speciation by Reinforcement
Ortíz-Barrientos, D., Counterman, B. A., & Noor, M. A. F. (2004) · PLoS Biology · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020416 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Sexual selection in the lek-breeding European treefrog: body size, chorus attendance, random mating and good genes
Friedl, T. W. P., & Klump, G. M. (2005) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.01.017 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Male age, mating status and nuptial gift quality in a bushcricket
Wedell, N., & Ritchie, M. G. (2004) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.10.007 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Variation in female mate choice within guppy populations: population divergence, multiple ornaments and the maintenance of polymorphism.
Brooks, R. C. (2002) · PubMed · Cited by 115 · see citing works
MULTIVARIATE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND THE LEK PARADOX: GENETIC VARIANCE IN MALE SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAITS OF DROSOPHILA SERRATA UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS
Hine, E., Chenoweth, S. F., & Blows, M. W. (2004) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2004.tb01627.x · Cited by 113 · see citing works
GENETIC BENEFITS OF A FEMALE MATING PREFERENCE IN GRAY TREE FROGS ARE CONTEXT-DEPENDENT
Welch, A. M. (2003) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2003.tb00299.x · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Mate choice for indirect genetic benefits: scrutiny of the current paradigm
Kotiaho, J. S., & Puurtinen, M. (2007) · Functional Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01286.x · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Self-citation
Female preference for multiple condition–dependent components of a sexually selected signal
Scheuber, H., Jacot, A., & Brinkhof, M. W. G. (2004) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2907 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Evolutionary Response to Sexual Selection in Male Genital Morphology
Simmons, L. W., House, C. M., Hunt, J., & García–González, F. (2009) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.056 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Self-citation
Males Influence Maternal Effects That Promote Sexual Selection: A Quantitative Genetic Experiment with Dung BeetlesOnthophagus taurus
Kotiaho, J. S., Simmons, L. W., Hunt, J., & Tomkins, J. L. (2003) · The American Naturalist · doi:10.1086/375173 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Depletion of Genetic Variance by Sexual Selection
Homrigh, A. V., Higgie, M., McGuigan, K., & Blows, M. W. (2007) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2007.01.055 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Recombination and the Divergence of Hybridizing Species
Ortíz-Barrientos, D., Reiland, J., Hey, J., & Noor, M. A. F. (2002) · Genetica · doi:10.1023/a:1021296829109 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Maintenance of genetic variation in sexual ornaments: a review of the mechanisms
Radwan, J. (2007) · Genetica · doi:10.1007/s10709-007-9203-0 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Dissecting the complex genetic basis of mate choice
Chenoweth, S. F., & Blows, M. W. (2006) · Nature Reviews Genetics · doi:10.1038/nrg1924 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Variation in Female Mate Choice within Guppy Populations: Population Divergence, Multiple Ornaments and the Maintenance of Polymorphism
Brooks, R. C. (2002) · Genetica · doi:10.1023/a:1021228308636 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Mate choice for genetic quality when environments vary: suggestions for empirical progress
Bussière, L. F., Hunt, J., Stölting, K. N., Jennions, M. D., & Brooks, R. C. (2007) · Genetica · doi:10.1007/s10709-007-9220-z · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Sexual selection can both increase and decrease extinction probability: reconciling demographic and evolutionary factors
Martínez‐Ruiz, C., & Knell, R. J. (2016) · Journal of Animal Ecology · doi:10.1111/1365-2656.12601 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Components of phenotypic variation in avian ornamental and non-ornamental feathers
Cuervo, J. J., & Møller, A. P. (2001) · Evolutionary Ecology · doi:10.1023/a:1011913804309 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Sexual selection and condition dependence of courtship display in three species of horned dung beetles
Kotiaho, J. S. (2002) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/13.6.791 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Self-citation
The effect of past condition on a multicomponent sexual signal
Scheuber, H., Jacot, A., & Brinkhof, M. W. G. (2003) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2003.2449 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Negative frequency-dependent preferences and variation in male facial hair
Janif, Z. J., Brooks, R. C., & Dixson, B. J. W. (2014) · Biology Letters · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2013.0958 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
THE EFFECTS OF GENOTYPE, AGE, AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON MALE ORNAMENTATION, MATING BEHAVIOR, AND ATTRACTIVENESS
Miller, L. K., & Brooks, R. C. (2005) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb00951.x · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Meta-analysis reveals that animal sexual signalling behaviour is honest and resource based
Dougherty, L. R. (2021) · Nature Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1038/s41559-021-01409-z · Cited by 81 · see citing works
GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION BY SEXUAL CONFLICT
Hayashi, T. I., Vose, M. D., & Sergey Gavrilets, B. (2007) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00059.x · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Sexual selection for male dominance reduces opportunities for female mate choice in the European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus)
Reichard, M., Bryja, J., Ondračková, M., Dávidová, M., Kaniewska, P., & Smith, C. (2005) · Molecular Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-294x.2005.02534.x · Cited by 84 · see citing works
CLIMATIC AND TEMPORAL EFFECTS ON THE EXPRESSION OF SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS: GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS
Garant, D., Sheldon, B. C., & Gustafsson, L. (2004) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2004.tb01685.x · Cited by 83 · see citing works
LEKKING BEHAVIOR OF ANASTREPHA FRATERCULUS (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)
Segura, D. F., Petit‐Marty, N., Sciurano, R. B., Vera, M. T., Calcagno, G., Allinghi, A., Gómez-Cendra, P., Cladera, J. L., & Vilardi, J. C. (2007) · Florida Entomologist · doi:10.1653/0015-4040(2007)90[154:lboafd]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
The effect of sexual selection on adaptation and extinction under increasing temperatures
Parrett, J. M., & Knell, R. J. (2018) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2018.0303 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Confidence of paternity and paternal care: covariation revealed through the experimental manipulation of the mating system in the beetle Onthophagus taurus
Hunt, J., & Simmons, L. W. (2002) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1046/j.1420-9101.2002.00442.x · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Effects of Inbreeding on Male Courtship Behaviour and Coloration in Guppies
Mariette, M., Kelley, J. L., Brooks, R., & Evans, J. P. (2006) · Ethology · doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2006.01236.x · Cited by 78 · see citing works
GENETIC VARIANCE AND PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN A COMPONENT OF FEMALE MATE CHOICE IN AN ULTRASONIC MOTH
Rodrı́guez, R. L., & Greenfield, M. D. (2003) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2003.tb00338.x · Cited by 78 · see citing works
The locus of sexual selection: moving sexual selection studies into the post‐genomics era
Wilkinson, G. S., Breden, F. J., Mank, J. E., Ritchie, M. G., Higginson, A. D., Radwan, J., Jaquiéry, J., Salzburger, W., Arriero, E., Barribeau, S. M., et al. (2015) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/jeb.12621 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Schizophrenia as one extreme of a sexually selected fitness indicator
Shaner, A. L., Miller, G. F., & Mintz, J. (2003) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2003.09.014 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Copulatory courtship signals male genetic quality in cucumber beetles
Tallamy, D. W., Darlington, M. B., Pesek, J., & Powell, B. E. (2003) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2198 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Sexual selection in genetic colour-polymorphic species: a review of experimental studies and perspectives
Roulin, A., & Bize, P. (2006) · Journal of Ethology · doi:10.1007/s10164-006-0006-z · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Food, vigilance, and sperm: the role of male direct benefits in the evolution of female preference in a polygamous bird
Pizzari, T. (2003) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/arg048 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
A potential resolution to the lek paradox through indirect genetic effects
Miller, C. W., & Moore, A. J. (2007) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.0413 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Quantitative genetic correlation between trait and preference supports a sexually selected sperm process
Simmons, L. W., & Kotiaho, J. S. (2007) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0704871104 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Self-citation
Environment‐dependent selection on mate choice in a natural population of birds
Robinson, M. R., van Doorn, G. S., Gustafsson, L., & Qvarnström, A. (2012) · Ecology Letters · doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01780.x · Cited by 70 · see citing works
FEMALE CHOICE VIA INDICATOR TRAITS EASILY EVOLVES IN THE FACE OF RECOMBINATION AND MIGRATION
Proulx, S. R. (2001) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb00755.x · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Sex differences in nutrient‐dependent reproductive ageing
Maklakov, A. A., Hall, M. D., Simpson, S. J., Dessmann, J., Clissold, F. J., Zajitschek, F., Lailvaux, S. P., Raubenheimer, D., Russell Bonduriansky, A., & Brooks, R. C. (2009) · Aging Cell · doi:10.1111/j.1474-9726.2009.00479.x · Cited by 69 · see citing works
CALLING IS AN HONEST INDICATOR OF PATERNAL GENETIC QUALITY IN POISON FROGS
Forsman, A., & Hagman, M. (2006) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2006.tb01852.x · Cited by 69 · see citing works
The juvenile social environment introduces variation in the choice and expression of sexually selected traits
Kasumovic, M. M., Hall, M. D., & Brooks, R. C. (2012) · Ecology and Evolution · doi:10.1002/ece3.230 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Songs versus colours versus horns: what explains the diversity of sexually selected traits?
Wiens, J. J., & Tuschhoff, E. J. (2020) · Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society · doi:10.1111/brv.12593 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Female ornamentation and directional male mate preference in the rock sparrow
Griggio, M., Devigili, A., Hoi, H., & Pilastro, A. (2009) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/arp099 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
OPPOSING SELECTION ON A SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC TRAIT THROUGH FEMALE CHOICE AND MALE COMPETITION IN A WATER BOATMAN
Candolin, U. (2004) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2004.tb00470.x · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Inbreeding, energy use and condition
Ketola, T., & Kotiaho, J. S. (2009) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01689.x · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Self-citation
Sire coloration influences offspring survival under predation risk in the moorfrog
Sheldon, B. C., Arponen, H., Laurila, A., Crochet, P., & Merilä, J. (2003) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1046/j.1420-9101.2003.00606.x · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Variation, but no covariance, in female preference functions and male song in a natural population of Drosophila montana
Ritchie, M. G., Saarikettu, M., & Hoikkala, A. (2005) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.01.018 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Ornamental bill color rapidly signals changing condition
Rosenthal, M. F., Murphy, T. G., Darling, N. E., & Tarvin, K. A. (2012) · Journal of Avian Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1600-048x.2012.05774.x · Cited by 61 · see citing works
GENIC CAPTURE AND THE GENETIC BASIS OF SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAITS IN THE ZEBRA FINCH
Birkhead, T. R., Pellatt, E. J., Matthews, I. M., Roddis, N. J., Hunter, F. M., McPhie, F., & Castillo‐Juárez, H. (2006) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2006.tb01873.x · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Genotype × environment interaction for male attractiveness in an acoustic moth: evidence for plasticity and canalization
Danielson‐François, A., Kelly, J. K., & Greenfield, M. D. (2005) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2005.01006.x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Beyond species recognition: somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication
Chemnitz, J., Jentschke, P. C., Ayasse, M., & Steiger, S. (2015) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.0832 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Heritability of three condition surrogates in the yellow dung fly
Blanckenhorn, W. U. (2003) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/arg052 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Individual differences in developmental plasticity: A role for early androgens?
Giudice, M. D., Barrett, E. S., Belsky, J., Hartman, S., Martel, M. M., Sangenstedt, S., & Kuzawa, C. W. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.025 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
SEXUAL SELECTION CAN REMOVE AN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED MUTATION LOAD
Almbro, M., & Simmons, L. W. (2013) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/evo.12238 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Self-citation
Condition-dependent traits and the capture of genetic variance in male advertisement song
Brandt, L. S. E., & Greenfield, M. D. (2004) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00716.x · Cited by 57 · see citing works
The ecological causes and consequences of hard and soft selection
Bell, D. A., Kovach, R. P., Robinson, Z. L., Whiteley, A. R., & Reed, T. E. (2021) · Ecology Letters · doi:10.1111/ele.13754 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Effectiveness of sexual selection in preventing fitness deterioration in bulb mite populations under relaxed natural selection
Radwan, J., Unrug, J., Snigorska, K., & Gawrońska, K. (2004) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1046/j.1420-9101.2003.00646.x · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Conceptual framework for assessment and management of ecosystem impacts of climate change
Prato, T. (2008) · Ecological Complexity · doi:10.1016/j.ecocom.2008.09.002 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
SIGNAL RELIABILITY COMPROMISED BY GENOTYPE-BY-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION AND POTENTIAL MECHANISMS FOR ITS PRESERVATION
Mills, S. C., Alatalo, R. V., Koskela, E., Mappes, J., Mappes, T., & Oksanen, T. A. (2007) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00145.x · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Metabolic rate does not decrease with starvation in Gryllus bimaculatus when changing fuel use is taken into account
Sinclair, B. J., Bretman, A. J., Tregenza, T., Tomkins, J. L., & Hosken, D. J. (2010) · Physiological Entomology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.2010.00765.x · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Self-citation
On the evolution of heightened condition dependence of male sexual displays
Gosden, T. P., & Chenoweth, S. F. (2011) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02205.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
The quantitative genetics of sexually selected traits, preferred traits and preference: a review and analysis of the data
Alexandra, P., & Roff, D. A. (2014) · Journal of Evolutionary Biology · doi:10.1111/jeb.12483 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Differential effects of genetic vs. environmental quality in Drosophila melanogaster suggest multiple forms of condition dependence
Russell Bonduriansky, A., Mallet, M. A., Arbuthnott, D., Pawlowsky‐Glahn, V., Egozcue, J. J., & Rundle, H. D. (2015) · Ecology Letters · doi:10.1111/ele.12412 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Quantitative evolutionary genomics: differential gene expression and male reproductive success inDrosophila melanogaster
Drnevich, J. M., Reedy, M. M., Ruedi, E. A., Rodriguez‐Zas, S. L., & Hughes, K. A. (2004) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2880 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
More on Merde
Lewin, R. A. (2001) · Perspectives in biology and medicine · doi:10.1353/pbm.2001.0067 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Condition Dependence of a Multicomponent Sexual Display Trait in Drosophila serrata
Delcourt, M., & Rundle, H. D. (2011) · The American Naturalist · doi:10.1086/659949 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Modality interactions alter the shape of acoustic mate preference functions in gray treefrogs
Reichert, M. S., & Höbel, G. (2015) · Evolution · doi:10.1111/evo.12750 · Cited by 44 · see citing works

On the resolution of the lek paradox
Kotiaho, J. S., LeBas, N. R., Puurtinen, M., & Tomkins, J. L. (2008) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2007.09.012 · Cited by 619 · see citing works
Self-citation
Females aren’t perfect: maintaining genetic variation and the lek paradox
Neff, B. D. (2000) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(00)01976-5 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Report The Depletion of Genetic Variance by Sexual Selection
Homrigh, A. V., Higgie, M., McGuigan, K., & Blows, M. W. (2007)
Sexual Selection: Does Condition Dependence Fail to Resolve the ‘Lek Paradox’?
Cotton, S., & Pomiankowski, A. (2007) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2007.03.004 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
When sexual selection through mate choice depletes versus exaggerates genetic variation: Unraveling the lek paradox
Xu, K., & Servedio, M. R. (2026) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2604818123

Authors: Kotiaho, J. S., Simmons, L. W., & Tomkins, J. L.
Affiliations: The University of Western Australia (AU)
University of St Andrews (GB)
Corresponding author: Kotiaho, Janne S.
ORCID: Kotiaho, Janne S.
Simmons, Leigh W.
Tomkins, Joseph L.
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2001-04
Volume: 410
Issue: 6829
Pages: 684-686
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/35070557
OpenAlex: W1624004185
Cited by: 301
References: 33
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 12
FWCI: 24.60
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Keywords: lek paradox, female mate choice, good genes, genetic variance, directional selection, male condition, Onthophagus taurus, dung beetles, genetic correlation, sexual selection
MeSH terms: Animals, Coleoptera, Courtship, Biological Evolution, Female, Food, Male, Models, Biological, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Genetic Variation

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Towards a resolution of the lek paradox

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks