Biology subjects

Lipshutz, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Lipshutz, S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Response to geographic variation in song is associated with differential gene expression in the blood of a songbird

Birdsong mediates territory acquisition and mate choice. In agonistic interactions, local songs generally elicit stronger responses than songs from more distant populations. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with differential responses to local vs. foreign songs are poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by combining behavioral assays in the field with blood transcriptomic analysis, using a within-subjects design to ask whether male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) show differential gene expression when exposed to playback of local and foreign songs. Transcriptomic profiles reflected the difference in behavioral response to local vs. foreign songs, with individuals exposed to local songs showing greater expression of genes associated with song perception and production, anti-inflammatory responses and energy metabolism. Our study suggests that changes in expression of key molecular pathways correlate with behavioral responses to geographic song variation, providing insight into the potential mechanisms regulating signal recognition and response to social challenges. HighlightsO_LIGene expression in sparrow blood was measured after simulated territorial intrusion. C_LIO_LIStronger response to local songs was associated with differential gene expression. C_LIO_LISong-associated genes (FOXP2, NRXN1) had higher expression when birds heard local songs. C_LIO_LIGene expression in the blood contains potential biomarkers of song recognition. C_LI

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Not all sexual monomorphisms evolve equally: female and male ornamentation in Tyranni passerines

Female animals often have ornaments such as conspicuous coloration. However, the evolution of female ornamentation and its contribution to sexual dimorphism are understudied relative to male ornamentation. We addressed this knowledge gap by investigating plumage ornamentation of Tyranni (Suboscines). We hypothesized that greater ornamentation is associated with stronger sociosexual selection in females and males, and that sexual dimorphism emerges when selection pressures differ between sexes. We tested associations of ornamentation and sexual dimorphism with territoriality, mating system, parental care, nest type, migratory behavior, and climatic seasonality. We found that females and males show similarly high ornamentation (elaborate monomorphism) in territorial, non-migratory, monogamous species with biparental care, and species nesting in cavities. In contrast, males show higher ornamentation than females in migratory and polygynous species with female-only parental care and in more seasonal climates, though these cases were less common than elaborate monomorphism. Our findings suggest that when the sexes share sociosexual selection pressures, they show similar ornamentation, whether elaborate or inconspicuous. Conversely, sexual dimorphism is greater when males face stronger sociosexual selection pressures than females. Our study provides a framework for testing how sociosexual selection shapes female traits, which is key to understanding the evolution of sex differences and similarities.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Reproductive microbial diversity is associated with competitive phenotypes in socially polyandrous jacanas

The composition of host-associated microbial communities may reflect the overall status of the host, including physiology and reproductive success. New hypotheses suggest that reproductive microbiomes can mediate sexually selected phenotypes, which may be particularly important for species with mating systems that feature strong sexual selection. These dynamics have been particularly understudied in female animals. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we compared the cloacal microbiome of females and males from two socially polyandrous bird species that vary in the strength of sexual selection, Jacana spinosa (Northern Jacana) and J. jacana (Wattled Jacana). We hypothesized that the strength of sexual selection would shape cloacal microbial diversity, such that the more polyandrous J. spinosa would have a more diverse microbiome, and that microbiomes would be more diverse in females than in males. If the reproductive microbiome is indicative of competitive status, we also hypothesized that cloacal microbial diversity would be associated with competitive traits, including plasma testosterone levels, body mass, or weaponry. We found a positive relationship between microbial alpha diversity and testosterone and weaponry in female J. spinosa. We found no differences in microbial alpha diversity between species or sexes, but we did find that microbial beta diversity significantly differed between species. Our results suggest that the cloacal microbiome may be a key component of the competitive phenotype in socially polyandrous jacanas, supporting the hypothesis that the interplay between sexual selection and microbial communities can shape the physiology and fitness of wild avian hosts. LAY SUMMARY- The reproductive microbiome may be a key component of the competitive phenotype - We examined cloacal microbial diversity in females and males of two Jacana species - Microbial alpha diversity is associated with testosterone and weaponry in female J. spinosa - Microbial beta diversity differed between J. spinosa and J. jacana

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Multimodal models of animal sex: breaking binaries leads to a better understanding of ecology and evolution

Sex is often used to describe a suite of phenotypic and genotypic traits of an organism related to reproduction. However, these traits - gamete type, chromosomal inheritance, physiology, morphology, behavior, etc. - are not necessarily coupled, and the rhetorical collapse of variation into a single term elides much of the complexity inherent in sexual phenotypes. We argue that consideration of sex as a constructed category operating at multiple biological levels opens up new avenues for inquiry in our study of biological variation. We apply this framework to three case studies that illustrate the diversity of sex variation, from decoupling sexual phenotypes to the evolutionary and ecological consequences of intrasexual polymorphisms. We argue that instead of assuming binary sex in these systems, some may be better categorized as multivariate and nonbinary. Finally, we conduct a meta-analysis of terms used to describe diversity in sexual phenotypes in the scientific literature to highlight how a multivariate model of sex can clarify, rather than cloud, studies of sexual diversity within and across species. We argue that such an expanded framework of sex better equips us to understand evolutionary processes, and that as biologists it is incumbent upon us to push back against misunderstandings of the biology of sexual phenotypes that enact harm on marginalized communities.

zoology↗