Genotype x Environment interaction and the evolution of sexual dimorphism: adult nutritional environment mediates selection and expression of sex-specific genetic variance in Drosophila melanogaster

Sexual conflict plays a key role in the dynamics of adaptive evolution in sexually reproducing populations, and theory suggests an important role for variance in resource acquisition in generating or masking sexual conflict over fitness and life history traits. Here, I used a quantitative genetic genotype x environment experiment in Drosophila melanogaster to test the theoretical prediction that variance in resource acquisition mediates variation in sex-specific component fitness. Holding larval conditions constant, I found that adult nutritional environments characterized by high protein content resulted in reduced survival of both sexes and lower male reproductive success compared to an environment of lower protein content. Despite reduced mean fitness of both sexes in high protein environments, I found a sex*treatment interaction for the relationship between resource acquisition and fitness; estimates of the adaptive landscape indicate males were furthest from their optimum resource acquisition level in high protein environments, and females were furthest in low protein environments. Expression of genetic variance in resource acquisition and survival was highest for each sex in the environment it was best adapted to, although the treatment effects on expression of genetic variance eroded in the path from resource acquisition to total fitness. Cross-sex genetic correlations were strongly positive for resource acquisition, survival, and total fitness and negative for mating success, although estimation error was high for all. These results demonstrate that environmental effects on resource acquisition can have predictable consequences for the expression of sex-specific genetic variance but also that these effects of resource acquisition can erode through life history.