John Hunt & David J. Hosken 
Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Sexual Selection 

Sexual selection is recognized as being responsible for some of
the most extravagant morphologies and behaviors in the natural
world, as well as a driver of some of the most rapid evolution.
While Charles Darwin’s theory is now a fundamental component
of modern evolutionary biology, the impact of
genotype-by-environment interactions on sexual selection has thus
far received little attention.

This book represents the first comprehensive analysis of the
role genotype-by-environment interactions play in sexual selection
and the potential implications that they have for the evolutionary
process. The Editors have identified 13 topics that currently
define the field and shed light on the impacts of these
interactions on sexual selection. This includes key topics, such as
resolving the lek paradox and how genotype-by-environmental
interactions can compromise the honesty of sexual signals. The
volume also outlines key questions that remain unanswered and
provides a comprehensive guide to analyzing genotype-by-environment
interactions.

The mix of theory, empirical studies, and practical instructions
from world leading experts make this book a particularly potent and
definitive guide on the topic. It will be of interest to
evolutionary biologists, spanning from genomicists to
behaviorists.

‘This is a very timely book, covering a topic that
should change the way we think about sexual selection. The
contributors are all leaders and the topics should provide guidance
to many Ph D projects in the years to come. GEI is increasingly
shown to be important, and it seems likely that it is critical in
species where sexual selection is operating. This book is likely to
help revitalize the study of sexual selection.’ Professor
Allen Moore, The University of Georgia

‘GEIs fascinate evolutionary biologists, but the unique
consequences for sexually selected traits have been neglected –
until now. This multi-authored book comprehensively explains key
theoretical concepts, handles practical ‘how to’ issues
and uses classic case studies to illustrate the value of studying
GEIs. It is a must read for everyone interested in sexual
selection.’ Professor Michael Jennions, The Australian
National University

Table of Content

List of Contributors xiii

Preface xv

About the Companion Website xix

Part I INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL CONCEPTS 1

1 Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Sexual Selection:
Female Choice in a Complex World 3

Michael J. Wade

2 GEIs when Information Transfer is Uncertain or Incomplete
19

Thomas Getty

3 Local Adaptation and the Evolution of Female Choice 41

Luke Holman and Hanna Kokko

4 Genotype-by-Environment Interactions when the Social
Environment Contains Genes 63

Jason B. Wolf, Nick J. Royle, and John Hunt

Part II PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR MEASURING GEIs 99

5 Quantifying Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Laboratory
Systems 101

Derek A. Roff and Alastair J. Wilson

6 Influence of the Environment on the Genetic Architecture of
Traits Involved in Sexual Selection within Wild Populations
137

Matthew R. Robinson and Anna Qvarnström

7 From Genotype × Environment to Transcriptome ×
Environment: Identifying and Understanding Environmental Influences
in the Gene Expression Underlying Sexually Selected Traits
169

Jennifer C. Perry and Judith E. Mank

Part III EMPIRICAL STUDIES ON GEIs AND SEXUAL SELECTION
189

8 Phenotypic Plasticity and Genotype × Environment
Interactions in Animal Communication 191

Michael D. Greenfield

9 The Use of Inbreeding to Assess the Genetic Component of
Condition Underlying GEIs in Sexual Traits 213

Lawrence Bellamy, Kevin Fowler, and Andrew Pomiankowski

10 Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Reliable Signaling
of Male Quality in Bank Voles 241

Suzanne C. Mills, Mikael Mokkonen, Esa Koskela, and Tapio
Mappes

11 Sexual Selection and Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in
Drosophila Cuticular Hydrocarbons 265

Fiona C. Ingleby, David J. Hosken, and John Hunt

12 Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Sexual Selection in
Guppies 282

Gita R. Kolluru

13 Signal Reliability, Sex-Specific Genotype-by-Environment
Interactions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression, and the
Maintenance of Polyandry through Chemosensory Self-Referencing in
Decorated Crickets, Gryllodes sigillatus 312

Scott K. Sakaluk, Carie Weddle, and John Hunt

Conclusions and Final Thoughts 331

Index 335

About the author

John Hunt is a Royal Society Research Fellow and Associate Professor in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter.

David J. Hosken is a Professor in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter.