Sex Differences in Mortality in Abraxas-Type Species

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Abstract
The theory commonly held that unfavorable recessive sex-linked genes reducing viability are the main or sole causes of differences in death rates in the sexes may be critically tested in certain animal groups usually neglected, i.e., those which are exceptional in having [female][female] heterogametous. In the fowl and pheasants among birds and in 12 out of 13 spp. of Lepidoptera (the codling moth data being especially significant) the [male][male] conform to the usual rule and are shorter lived than the [female][female]. This is not consistent with either the sex-linked lethal or the allied chromosome unbalance theory. Sex differences in mortality appear to be connected with sex itself rather than with any particular sex chromosome equipment. Males, whether heterozygous or homozygous for sex, are ordinarily characterized by a higher basal metabolic level than [female][female]. A metabolic theory of the sex-differential mortality would thus be more widely applicable and has some other support.

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