动物体型性别二态性(Sexual size dimorphism,SSD)是存在于动物界的普遍现象,作用于某一性别体型的选择压力与作用于另一性别体型的选择压力大小或方向的不同被认为是SSD 产生的原因。伦施法则认为,在雄性体型比雌性体型大的动物类群中,SSD 随体型增大而增大,相反地,在雌性体型比雄性体型大的生物类群中随体型增大而减小。本文从动物体型性别二态性产生的原因及规律方面概述了其研究现状,以及蝙蝠性别二态性研究的进展,并提出关于蝙蝠体型性别二态性尚未解决的科学问题及未来的研究展望。
Sexual size dimorphism (SSD)is commonplace in the animal kingdom. SSD in a given species is expected to result if selective pressures on body size are stronger in one sex than another,or if selective processes push the two sexes in opposing directions. Rensch’s rule states a relationship between SSD and body size:SSD increases with body size when males are the larger sex,and decreases with body size when females are the larger sex. Here,we review briefly some research progress and the variation patterns in SSD of animals,and summarize the SSD research in bats. Further studies are required to investigate why bats mostly exhibit female-biased SSD,and whether the variation in SSD conforms to Rensch’s rule.