title: Sexual conflict and sperm competition.
abstract: Traits that increase a male's fertilization success during sperm competition can be harmful to females and therefore represent a source of sexual conflict. In this review, we consider the variety of male adaptations to sperm competition (MASC) that may give rise to sexual conflict-including mate guarding, prolonged copulations, the transfer of large numbers of sperm, and the manipulation of females through nonsperm components of the ejaculate. We then reflect on the fitness economics influencing the escalation of these sexual conflicts, considering the likelihood of females evolving traits to offset the negative effects of MASC when compared with the strong selection on males that lead to MASC. We conclude by discussing the potential evolutionary outcomes of sexual conflict arising from MASC, including the opportunities for females to mitigate conflict costs and the prospects for conflict resolution.
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Dominic A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Edward
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stockley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hosken
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*