Eco-evolutionary dynamics of sexually selected infanticide facilitate species coexistence

In a stage-structured two-species eco-evolutionary model, a sexually selected infanticidal male strategy is maintained and reduces the superior species’ equilibrium density, expanding stable coexistence.

• Why it matters: Biodiversity hinges on whether stabilizing forces can offset differences in competitive ability, and theory suggests density-dependent demographic costs from conspecific adaptations may help.
• What they did: The authors built a stage-structured model with infanticidal versus non-infanticidal male strategies and tested parameter dependence on infanticide rate and its fecundity cost under intraspecific competition.
• The result: When the superior species’ infanticide imposes demographic costs that rise with conspecific density, it strengthens self-limitation, lowers equilibrium density, increases the inferior competitor’s invasion growth rate, and enlarges the coexistence parameter region.

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