ERC awards nearly €2 million to project that aims at a unified mathematical theory based on Charles Darwin’s 19th-century theory of sexual selection
Associate Professor Jussi Lehtonen from the JYU Department of Biological and Environmental Science aims at a unified theory of one of the most significant domains of evolution biology, namely sexual selection, by means of mathematical modelling.
Sexual selection is a controversial topic
Charles Darwin’s best-known book, On the Origin of Species, published in 1859, dealt with natural selection, often referred to as survival of the fittest. Another book of his, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, published in 1871, dealt with so-called sexual selection. In general terms, in evolutionary biology sexual selection is a component related to reproduction, whereas natural selection pertains to other properties. Traditionally, sexual selection is considered to explain particular phenomena such as the exaggerated peacock train, thought to have evolved via sexual selection. In the light of current understanding, however, the concept is much broader and covers, for example, evolution of traits at the gametic level, and interactions between these different levels.
“The topic is a controversial one, however, and many older studies have been questioned,” says Associate Professor Jussi Lehtonen from the Ģֱ. “People do not always agree even on the definitions of, for example, sexes or sexual selection. From a theoretical perspective, these disputes are complicated by the fact that different mathematical models can be very difficult to relate to each other, and are not necessarily based on the same assumptions.”
Research is pursued in cooperation with experts from different fields
Lehtonen’s ERC project, Unified theory of sexual selection, seeks to develop a coherent mathematical theory of kin selection, which would integrate earlier models through a unified mathematical structure.
“My project is highly cross-disciplinary, including international cooperation not only with biologists but also with researchers in mathematics and in philosophy of science,” Lehtonen explains. “By means of biophysical models, it is possible to link gamete-level processes with classical questions in sexual selection. By using methods of causal modelling, we can ensure that we gain as comprehensive an understanding as possible of the models and their connections to earlier models.”
Funding from the European Research Council is some of the most highly regarded in Europe. The Consolidator Grants are awarded to researchers at the middle point of their career. In addition to a high scientific standard, the applications need to provide innovative scientific perspectives.
