Sexual conflict via maternal-effect genes in ZW species.
In female heterogamous (ZW) species, sex-linked genes coding for maternal products that are packaged into the egg open a unique arena for genetic conflict that does not occur in male heterogamous (XY) species. Z-linked maternal-effect alleles that help sons and harm daughters are expected to go to fixation, as are W-linked alleles that help daughters and harm sons. This conflict differs from known cases of meiotic drive, because sex-specific ontogeny, physiology, and gene expression greatly simplify the genetic interactions that lead to sexual conflict. Selection on maternal-effect genes may substantially alter the evolution of ZW compared with XY systems.
Miller
Paige M
PM
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. pmiller@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Gavrilets
Sergey
S
Rice
William R
WR
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*