Conflicting selection is an important evolutionary mechanism because it impedes directional evolution and helps to maintain phenotypic variation. It can arise when mutualistic and antagonistic selective agents exert opposing selection on the same trait and when distinct phenotypic optima are favored by different fitness components. In this study, we test for conflicting selection through different sexual functions of the hermaphroditic plant, Silene stellata during its early and late flowering season. We find selection is consistently stronger during the early flowering season, which aligns with the activity peak of the pollinating seed predator Hadena ectypa. Importantly, we observe sex‐specific selection on petal dimensions to have opposite signs. We propose that the observed sexually conflicting selection on petal design results from the negative selection through female function for the avoidance of oviposition and the subsequent fruit predation by H. ectypa larvae and the positive selection through male function for pollen export by H. ectypa adults. The Silene–Hadena interaction has previously been considered to be largely parasitic. Our findings suggest a trade‐off mechanism that could thwart the evolution of an “escape route” from the nocturnal pollination syndrome by Silene spp. and contribute to the long‐term maintenance of the Silene–Hadena system.

中文翻译：

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一种假定的飞蛾传粉媒介选择剂对 Silene stellata 花卉性状的可变和性冲突选择

冲突选择是一种重要的进化机制，因为它会阻碍定向进化并有助于维持表型变异。当互惠和拮抗选择剂对同一性状施加相反的选择，以及不同的适应度成分有利于不同的表型优化时，就会出现这种情况。在这项研究中，我们通过雌雄同体植物 Silene stellata 在其早花和晚花季节的不同性功能来测试冲突选择。我们发现在早期开花季节，选择一直更强，这与授粉种子捕食者 Hadena etypa 的活动高峰一致。重要的是，我们观察到花瓣尺寸上的性别特异性选择具有相反的迹象。我们提出，观察到的花瓣设计上的性冲突选择是通过雌性功能的负选择导致的，以避免产卵和随后的 H. ectypa 幼虫捕食果实，以及通过雄性功能的正选择导致 H. ectypa 成虫输出花粉。Silene-Hadena 相互作用以前被认为主要是寄生的。我们的研究结果表明，一种权衡机制可能会阻止 Silene spp. 从夜间授粉综合征演变为“逃生路线”。并有助于 Silene-Hadena 系统的长期维护。Silene-Hadena 相互作用以前被认为主要是寄生的。我们的研究结果表明，一种权衡机制可能会阻止 Silene spp. 从夜间授粉综合征演变为“逃生路线”。并有助于 Silene-Hadena 系统的长期维护。Silene-Hadena 相互作用以前被认为主要是寄生的。我们的研究结果表明，一种权衡机制可能会阻止 Silene spp. 从夜间授粉综合征演变为“逃生路线”。并有助于 Silene-Hadena 系统的长期维护。