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Fu X, Meyer-Rochow VB, Ballantyne L, Zhu X, Zhang Q. Sperm Competition and Paternity in the Endangered Firefly Pyrocoelia pectoralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae). INSECTS 2024; 15:66. [PMID: 38249072 PMCID: PMC10817000 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The endangered terrestrial firefly Pyrocoelia pectoralis (Olivier) is endemic to China. Populations of P. pectoralis have decreased dramatically due to urbanization and pollution. Breeding and re-introduction to a suitable habitat may save the species from becoming extinct. Because of its polyandrous character, an investigation into the possibility of sperm competition and paternity outcomes from multiple matings was initiated to better understand its reproductive physiology. To achieve these goals, 13 SSR markers were developed. The results of paternity experiments indicate there is a significant difference between P3 and P1 or P2. The female reproductive system has three spermathecae which accept sperm from different matings, and no bursa or spermatophore-digesting organ is developed. Our research established that multiple inseminations with sperm from different males occur, leading to competition between ejaculates. The benefits of such competition include an increasing number of sperm in the ejaculates of competing males and the consequential increase in fertilized eggs (thus, fecundity), and thereby a higher chance of genetic diversity and fitness in the offspring of the firefly P. pectoralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Fu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
- Firefly Conservation Research Centre, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu University, SF-90140 Oulu, Finland;
- Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
| | - Lesley Ballantyne
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, P.O. Box 588, Wagga Wagga 2678, Australia;
| | - Xinlei Zhu
- Firefly Conservation Research Centre, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Qiyulu Zhang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
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Degueldre F, Aron S. Long-term sperm storage in eusocial Hymenoptera. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:567-583. [PMID: 36397639 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In internally fertilizing species, sperm transfer is not always immediately followed by egg fertilization, and female sperm storage (FSS) may occur. FSS is a phenomenon in which females store sperm in a specialized organ for periods lasting from a few hours to several years, depending on the species. Eusocial hymenopterans (ants, social bees, and social wasps) hold the record for FSS duration. In these species, mating takes place during a single nuptial flight that occurs early in adult life for both sexes; they never mate again. Males die quickly after copulation but survive posthumously as sperm stored in their mates' spermathecae. Reproductive females, also known as queens, have a much longer life expectancy, up to 20 years in some species. Here, we review what is currently known about the molecular adaptations underlying the remarkable FSS capacities in eusocial hymenopterans. Because sperm quality is crucial to the reproductive success of both sexes, we also discuss the mechanisms involved in sperm storage and preservation in the male seminal vesicles prior to ejaculation. Finally, we propose future research directions that should broaden our understanding of this unique biological phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félicien Degueldre
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, CP 160/12, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Aron
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, CP 160/12, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
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Gregoriou ME, Reczko M, Kakani EG, Tsoumani KT, Mathiopoulos KD. Decoding the Reproductive System of the Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:355. [PMID: 33670896 PMCID: PMC7997189 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In most diploid organisms, mating is a prerequisite for reproduction and, thus, critical to the maintenance of their population and the perpetuation of the species. Besides the importance of understanding the fundamentals of reproduction, targeting the reproductive success of a pest insect is also a promising method for its control, as a possible manipulation of the reproductive system could affect its destructive activity. Here, we used an integrated approach for the elucidation of the reproductive system and mating procedures of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae. Initially, we performed a RNAseq analysis in reproductive tissues of virgin and mated insects. A comparison of the transcriptomes resulted in the identification of genes that are differentially expressed after mating. Functional annotation of the genes showed an alteration in the metabolic, catalytic, and cellular processes after mating. Moreover, a functional analysis through RNAi silencing of two differentially expressed genes, yellow-g and troponin C, resulted in a significantly reduced oviposition rate. This study provided a foundation for future investigations into the olive fruit fly's reproductive biology to the development of new exploitable tools for its control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Eleni Gregoriou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
| | - Martin Reczko
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Science, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece;
| | - Evdoxia G. Kakani
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Konstantina T. Tsoumani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
| | - Kostas D. Mathiopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
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Gotoh A, Shigenobu S, Yamaguchi K, Kobayashi S, Ito F, Tsuji K. Transcriptome characterization of male accessory glands in ants to identify molecules involved in their reproductive success. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:212-220. [PMID: 29226989 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In insects, seminal fluid proteins that are produced by male accessory glands and transferred to females during mating have key functions in sperm competition and sperm physiology that lead to male reproductive success. In ants, male reproductive success also depends on the longevity of sperm stored in the queen's spermatheca because their sexual offspring are usually produced only after a prolonged storage period. We identified genes that were up-regulated in the male accessory glands relative to the bodies of Crematogaster osakensis to characterize the reproductive molecules associated with male reproductive success in ants. We found novel genes that had no hits in a homology search and that were predominantly expressed in the accessory glands. These reproductive proteins may have evolved under rapid positive selection for reproductive success in the species. Furthermore, we discovered that three spermatheca-specific genes of C. osakensis queens were also enriched in the accessory glands relative to the bodies of males. These genes may be important for maintaining the sperm quality continuously from ejaculation by males to prolonged storage by queens. This research provides crucial information about the molecular mechanisms of sperm maintenance and sexual selection in ants, and also insight into the evolution of reproductive strategies in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gotoh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, Kobe, Japan
| | - S Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - K Yamaguchi
- NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - S Kobayashi
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA Center), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - F Ito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Ikenobe, Miki, Japan
| | - K Tsuji
- Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Nishihara, Japan
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Gotoh A, Furukawa K. Journey of sperms from production by males to storage by queens in Crematogaster osakensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 105:95-101. [PMID: 29373812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ants show a unique reproductive system among insects. Males finish sperm production, and their testes degenerate at a young stage. After copulation, spermatozoa are transferred into the queens, who store the received sperm cells throughout their long lifespan without additional mating. In the present study, we investigated the reproductive biology of Crematogaster osakensis from male sexual maturation to sperm transfer, and sperm storage in queens. The sperm production was completed by eclosion and all produced spermatozoa had migrated to the seminal vesicle and the testes shrank until 10 days after eclosion. Sperm were not connected with bundles in mature males. The sperm cells were immobilized in the seminal vesicle. The sperm cells with the spermatophore were ejaculated into the bursa copulatrix and remained immotile during transfer from the bursa copulatrix to the spermathecal reservoir via the spermathecal duct. These findings provide significant insights into the importance of sperm immobilization, which prevents sperm damage and/or production of reactive oxygen species rather than swimming faster competed with rival male spermatozoa to reach into the sperm storage site, even in the polyandrous species, C. osakensis. Immobilization was also observed in the spermathecal reservoir 5 years after mating. This observation suggests that sperm immobilization is one of the important factors for successful long-term sperm storage and maintaining low levels of sperm metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Gotoh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8501, Japan.
| | - Koudai Furukawa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8501, Japan
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Pascini TV, Martins GF. The insect spermatheca: an overview. ZOOLOGY 2017; 121:56-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Baer B, Collins J, Maalaps K, den Boer SPA. Sperm use economy of honeybee (Apis mellifera) queens. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:2877-85. [PMID: 27217944 PMCID: PMC4863013 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The queens of eusocial ants, bees, and wasps only mate during a very brief period early in life to acquire and store a lifetime supply of sperm. As sperm cannot be replenished, queens have to be highly economic when using stored sperm to fertilize eggs, especially in species with large and long‐lived colonies. However, queen fertility has not been studied in detail, so that we have little understanding of how economic sperm use is in different species, and whether queens are able to influence their sperm use. This is surprising given that sperm use is a key factor of eusocial life, as it determines the fecundity and longevity of queens and therefore colony fitness. We quantified the number of sperm that honeybee (Apis mellifera) queens use to fertilize eggs. We examined sperm use in naturally mated queens of different ages and in queens artificially inseminated with different volumes of semen. We found that queens are remarkably efficient and only use a median of 2 sperm per egg fertilization, with decreasing sperm use in older queens. The number of sperm in storage was always a significant predictor for the number of sperm used per fertilization, indicating that queens use a constant ratio of spermathecal fluid relative to total spermathecal volume of 2.364 × 10−6 to fertilize eggs. This allowed us to calculate a lifetime fecundity for honeybee queens of around 1,500,000 fertilized eggs. Our data provide the first empirical evidence that honeybee queens do not manipulate sperm use, and fertilization failures in worker‐destined eggs are therefore honest signals that workers can use to time queen replacement, which is crucial for colony performance and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Baer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology The University of Western Australia MCS Building M310 6009 Western Australia Crawley Australia
| | - Jason Collins
- Business School The University of Western Australia Building M252 6009 Western Australia Crawley Australia
| | - Kristiina Maalaps
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology The University of Western Australia MCS Building M310 6009 Western Australia Crawley Australia
| | - Susanne P A den Boer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology The University of Western Australia MCS Building M3106009 Western Australia Crawley Australia; Department of Biology Centre for Social Evolution University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 152100 Copenhagen Denmark
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Burnett WE, Heinze J. Sperm bundles in the seminal vesicles of sexually mature Lasius ant males. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93383. [PMID: 24671307 PMCID: PMC3966874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In many insects, sperm cells are produced in bundles with their heads being held together by a glycoprotein matrix secreted by a cyst cell. Mature sperm cells in the seminal vesicles are usually free, but in sawflies and several other insects, such structures (spermatodesmata) remain intact and sperm cells may be ejaculated as bundles. Here we report the occurrence of spermatodesmata in mature males of the ant Lasius pallitarsis. Microscopic investigations of the abdominal contents of males immediately prior to their nuptial flights showed that the anterior ends of numerous sperm cells were embedded in an oval-shaped 20 by 30 micrometer extracellular fibrous cap. Individual sperm ranged in length from 55 to 75 micrometers with an average overall length of 65 micrometers. The bulb-shaped heads of the sperm were relatively small, only about 1.5 micrometers in length and about 1.1 micrometers in diameter. The diameter of the sperm tails was approximately 1 micrometer. Observations of live preparations of the spermatodesmata showed increasingly active undulating wave-like movement of the sperm tails as the slide preparations aged. This appears to be the first case of sperm bundles being present in the seminal vesicles of mature ant males--males that are immediately poised to complete their nuptial mating flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E. Burnett
- Bitterroot Environmental Services Co., Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jürgen Heinze
- Biologie I, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Oppelt A, Humann FC, Fuessl M, Azevedo SV, Marco Antonio DS, Heinze J, Hartfelder K. Suppression subtractive hybridization analysis reveals expression of conserved and novel genes in male accessory glands of the ant Leptothorax gredleri. BMC Evol Biol 2010; 10:273. [PMID: 20825642 PMCID: PMC2949867 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 09/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During mating, insect males eject accessory gland proteins (Acps) into the female genital tract. These substances are known to affect female post-mating behavior and physiology. In addition, they may harm the female, e.g., in reducing its lifespan. This is interpreted as a consequence of sexual antagonistic co-evolution. Whereas sexual conflict abounds in non-social species, the peculiar life history of social insects (ants, bees, wasps) with lifelong pair-bonding and no re-mating aligns the reproductive interests of the sexes. Harming the female during mating would negatively affect male fitness and sexual antagonism is therefore not expected. Indeed, mating appears to increase female longevity in at least one ant species. Acps are presumed to play a role in this phenomenon, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we investigated genes, which are preferentially expressed in male accessory glands of the ant Leptothorax gredleri, to determine which proteins might be transferred in the seminal fluid. Results By a suppression subtractive hybridization protocol we obtained 20 unique sequences (USs). Twelve had mutual best matches with genes predicted for Apis mellifera and Nasonia vitripennis. Functional information (Gene Ontology) was available only for seven of these, including intracellular signaling, energy-dependent transport and metabolic enzyme activities. The remaining eight USs did not match sequences from other species. Six genes were further analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR in three life cycle stages of male ants. A gene with carboxy-lyase activity and one of unpredicted function were significantly overexpressed in accessory glands of sexually mature males. Conclusions Our study is the first one to investigate differential gene expression in ants in a context related to mating. Our findings indicate that male accessory glands of L. gredleri express a series of genes that are unique to this species, possibly representing novel genes, in addition to conserved ones for which functions can be predicted. Identifying differentially expressed genes might help to better understand molecular mechanisms involved in reproductive processes in eusocial Hymenoptera. While the novel genes could account for rapidly evolving ones driven by intra-sexual conflict between males, conserved genes imply that rather beneficial traits might get fixed by a process described as inter-sexual cooperation between males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Oppelt
- Biologie I, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany.
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Oppelt A, Spitzenpfeil N, Kroiss J, Heinze J. The significance of intercolonial variation of cuticular hydrocarbons for inbreeding avoidance in ant sexuals. Anim Behav 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Gobin B, Ito F, Billen J, Peeters C. Degeneration of sperm reservoir and the loss of mating ability in worker ants. Naturwissenschaften 2008; 95:1041-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-008-0420-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2007] [Revised: 06/12/2008] [Accepted: 06/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2008; 8:360-3. [DOI: 10.1097/aci.0b013e32830abac8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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