Ecological Consequences Of Sexually Selected Traits: An Eco-Evolutionary Perspective

Evolution is rapidly gaining attention as an important driver of ecological process. Yet, evolution via sexual selection has generally been omitted from this emerging synthesis. Our goal in this paper is to illustrate causative links by which sexually selected traits affect fundamental ecological interactions and processes. We summarize evidence, primarily from vertebrate studies under field conditions, which shows: sexually selected traits have ecological effects; and that their evolution has diverse influences on ecological systems. We conclude with a brief discussion of future research directions to encourage study of sexual selection from a more integrative and eco-evolutionary perspective.