Elucidating the genetic basis of fitness-related traits is a major goal of molecular ecology. Traits subject to sexual selection are particularly interesting, as non-random mate choice should deplete genetic variation and thereby their evolutionary benefits. We examined the genetic basis of three sexually selected morphometric traits in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis): horn length, horn base ci...

OBJECTIVES To determine age-related associations between fat mass (FM), regional fat depots and cardiometabolic traits in normal- and overweight children, adolescents and adults. METHODS Detailed body composition (regional subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue; SAT, VAT) by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), FM and fat-free mass by air-displacement plethysmography, systolic and d...

In their choice of mates, females may use alternative tactics, including a comparative assessment of males in a population, using one or several relative preference criteria. Traits involved in female choice should presumably be variable between, but not within males, thus potentially providing reliable cues of male identity and quality for prospecting females. In lekking species, sexual select...

Sexually selected traits are often assumed to convey information to conspeciÞcs about the condition and genetic quality of an individual. However, sexually selected traits also are hypothesized to be among the most rapidly evolving and phenotypically plastic traits in natural populations. When found, such variability can bring into question the reliability of these traits as sexually-selected s...

The study was conducted on 118 partridges (Alectoris graeca) chicks in order to find the effect of non-genetic factors and genetic evaluation live weight carcass this bird. results showed a highly significant superiority weights males over females most age stages (437.71 ± 4.40 vs 375.90 3.66 g/ bird at marketing age) daily gain (ADG) from one day (4.70 0.06 4.01 0.04 day/bird). breeding values...

In many animal species, males have more than one secondary sexual character. Apart from theoretical considerations about the evolution of multiple traits, there are almost no empirical studies on female mate choice decisions based on combinations of traits as opposed to decisions based on single traits. Because three-spined sticklebacks are exceptionally well suited to be tested with computer a...

Sexually selected traits are often assumed to convey information to conspeciÞcs about the condition and genetic quality of an individual. However, sexually selected traits also are hypothesized to be among the most rapidly evolving and phenotypically plastic traits in natural populations. When found, such variability can bring into question the reliability of these traits as sexually-selected s...