Socio-ecological context modulates significance of territorial contest competition in Drosophila prolongata

The intensity and direction of sexual selection is intricately linked to the social and ecological context. Both operational sex ratios (OSRs) and population densities can affect the ability of males to monopolize resources and mates, and thus the form and intensity of sexual selection on them. Here, we studied how the mating system of the promiscuous and strongly sexually dimorphic fruit fly Drosophila prolongata responds to changes in the OSR and population density. We recorded groups of flies over five days and quantified territory occupancy, mating success, and competitive fertilization success. Although sexual selection was stronger under male-biased than even OSRs but unrelated to density, realized selection on morphological traits was higher under even OSRs and increased with density. Larger and more territorial males achieved both higher mating success and competitive fertilization success, but only under even OSRs. Our combined results also support a shift in the mating system from territorial contest competition to scramble competition under male-biased OSRs and potentially at low density, where there was no clear contribution of the measured traits to reproductive success. Our study emphasizes the limitations of traditional selection metrics and the role of the socio-ecological context in predicting adaptation to a changing environment.