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Yan JL, Dobbin ML, Dukas R. Sexual conflict and sexual networks in bed bugs: the fitness cost of traumatic insemination, female avoidance and male mate choice. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232808. [PMID: 39016237 PMCID: PMC11253432 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual conflict is prevalent among animals and is primarily caused by the fact that the optimal mating rates are often higher in males than in females. While there is a growing appreciation that females can also gain from multiple matings, we still know relatively little about which sex controls the observed mating rates and how close it is to the optimal female mating rates. To address this issue, we tracked female bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) inseminated daily versus weekly and found that weekly inseminated females lived longer and produced over 50% more offspring. In a follow-up experiment employing a social network framework, we placed 24 bed bugs into a semi-naturalistic arena and recorded all sexual interactions. While recently inseminated females did not avoid males more often, they were more frequently rejected by males. Finally, we tracked avoidance behaviour in a single cohort of female bed bugs as they received six successive daily inseminations. Avoidance rates increased and insemination durations decreased with increasing number of prior inseminations. Overall, our results indicate high costs of polyandry. Although females possess some plastic avoidance strategies, the observed rates of insemination fall closer to the male rather than female optimum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L. Yan
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maggie L. Dobbin
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Pollo P, Lagisz M, Yang Y, Culina A, Nakagawa S. Synthesis of sexual selection: a systematic map of meta-analyses with bibliometric analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38982618 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Sexual selection has been a popular subject within evolutionary biology because of its central role in explaining odd and counterintuitive traits observed in nature. Consequently, the literature associated with this field of study became vast. Meta-analytical studies attempting to draw inferences from this literature have now accumulated, varying in scope and quality, thus calling for a synthesis of these syntheses. We conducted a systematic literature search to create a systematic map with a report appraisal of meta-analyses on topics associated with sexual selection, aiming to identify the conceptual and methodological gaps in this secondary literature. We also conducted bibliometric analyses to explore whether these gaps are associated with the gender and origin of the authors of these meta-analyses. We included 152 meta-analytical studies in our systematic map. We found that most meta-analyses focused on males and on certain animal groups (e.g. birds), indicating severe sex and taxonomic biases. The topics in these studies varied greatly, from proximate (e.g. relationship of ornaments with other traits) to ultimate questions (e.g. formal estimates of sexual selection strength), although the former were more common. We also observed several common methodological issues in these studies, such as lack of detailed information regarding searches, screening, and analyses, which ultimately impairs the reliability of many of these meta-analyses. In addition, most of the meta-analyses' authors were men affiliated to institutions from developed countries, pointing to both gender and geographical authorship biases. Most importantly, we found that certain authorship aspects were associated with conceptual and methodological issues in meta-analytical studies. Many of our findings might simply reflect patterns in the current state of the primary literature and academia, suggesting that our study can serve as an indicator of issues within the field of sexual selection at large. Based on our findings, we provide both conceptual and analytical recommendations to improve future studies in the field of sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Pollo
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Gate 9 High St., Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Gate 9 High St., Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Yefeng Yang
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Gate 9 High St., Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Antica Culina
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Gate 9 High St., Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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Lorrain-Soligon L, Muller K, Delaby C, Thiéry D, Moreau J. Interaction between females and males grapevine moth Lobesia botrana modifies further mating preference. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 156:104668. [PMID: 38942138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
During reproduction, females may boost their fitness by being selective based on direct material benefits provided by the males, such as nuptial gifts. In Lepidoptera, male provides a spermatophore containing nutrients. However, virgin males produce a bigger spermatophore, containing spermatozoa and nutrients, allowing higher female fertility. Lepidoptera females that could detect the sexual status of males may thus prefer a male without previous mating experience (i.e. a virgin male). This mate selection could be achieved by the use of chemical indices, such as sexual pheromones and cuticular compounds, known to be possibly exchanged during reproduction, and which can be indicators of a previous mating experience and known to be possibly sources of information exchanged. In this study, we experimentally presented Lobesia botrana virgin males with females in order for them to be exposed to females' natural sexual pheromones or cuticular compounds. 12 or 48 h after the exposure of males to either females' sexual pheromones or cuticular compounds, these males were confronted to naïve females, which have a choice between them or a virgin non-exposed males. We highlighted that, despite producing a spermatophore of similar volume, all exposed virgin males were less likely to mate with females 12 h after exposure, while after 48 h of exposure this is only the case for virgin males exposed to sexual pheromones. L. botrana females may thus discriminate male sexual experience based on chemical cues (either from cues transferred directly from females to males, or from changes in the cuticular or pheromone males' profile) indicating past mating experiences. Mating duration was longer for males exposed to sexual pheromones after 12 h only, and for males exposed to cuticular compounds after 48 h only. Pheromones signal might be more persistent over time and seems to more easily gather information for males. The physiological reasoning behind this result still needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Muller
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Camille Delaby
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Denis Thiéry
- INRA UMR 1065 Santé et Agroecologie du Vignoble, Institut des Science de la Vigne et du Vin, Ave E. Bourleaux, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France; Université de bordeaux, INRA UMR 1065, Save, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Ave E. Bourleaux, 33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Moreau
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France; Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-bois, France
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4
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Pärssinen V, Simmons LW, Kvarnemo C. Mating competition among females: testing the distinction between natural and sexual selection in an insect. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240191. [PMID: 38586425 PMCID: PMC10999239 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In species where females compete for mates, the male often provides the female with resources in addition to gametes. A recently suggested definition of sexual selection proposed that if females only benefit from additional resources that come with each mating and not additional gametes, female intrasexual competition for mating opportunities would result in natural selection rather than sexual selection. The nuptial gift-giving bushcricket Kawanaphila nartee has dynamic sex roles and has been a textbook example of sexual selection acting on females via mating competition. We investigated whether females of this species gain fitness benefits from nuptial gifts, additional ejaculates or both by controlling the number of matings and whether the female was allowed to consume the nutritious gift (spermatophylax) at mating. We found that egg production per day of life increased with the number of additional matings, both with and without spermatophylax consumption, but consuming the spermatophylax had an additional positive effect on the number of eggs. These effects were particularly strong in females with shorter lifespans. We discuss how the recently suggested definition of sexual selection applies to nuptial-feeding insects and conclude that both natural and sexual selections influence mating competition in K. nartee females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varpu Pärssinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg40530, Sweden
| | - Leigh W. Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley6009, Australia
| | - Charlotta Kvarnemo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg40530, Sweden
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5
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Tsai Y, Lin YC, Lee YH. Octopamine-MAPK-SKN-1 signaling suppresses mating-induced oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans gonads to protect fertility. iScience 2023; 26:106162. [PMID: 36876134 PMCID: PMC9976470 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual conflict over mating is costly to female physiology. Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites generally produce self-progeny, but they can produce cross-progeny upon successfully mating with a male. We have uncovered that C. elegans hermaphrodites experience sexual conflict over mating, resulting in severe costs in terms of their fertility and longevity. We show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate on the apical surfaces of spermathecal bag cells after successful mating and induce cell damage, leading to ovulation defects and fertility suppression. To counteract these negative impacts, C. elegans hermaphrodites deploy the octopamine (OA) regulatory pathway to enhance glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis and protect spermathecae from mating-induced ROS. We show that the SER-3 receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) KGB-1 cascade transduce the OA signal to transcription factor SKN-1/Nrf2 in the spermatheca to upregulate GSH biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hue Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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6
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Rines IG, Harrod AE, Hunt J, Sadd BM, Sakaluk SK. Disentangling effects of mating, nuptial gifts and accessory gland proteins on reproduction in female crickets. Anim Behav 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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7
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Honek A, Martinkova Z. Effect of Male Body Size on Female Reproduction in Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). INSECTS 2022; 13:902. [PMID: 36292850 PMCID: PMC9604140 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Females and males of the abundant heteropteran species Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) mate with the larger of the available partners. The male benefits from copulation with a large female, which is more productive than a small female. However, the benefit to females from copulation with a large male has not yet been investigated. Overwintered sexually immature adults were transferred from the field to indoors for a long day at 25 °C and subsequently kept as female-male pairs with different partner size ratios. The female lays eggs in several successive clutches. We investigated the influence of male size on the number and weight of eggs in individual clutches and the time elapsed from the transfer to their deposition. These characteristics of reproduction were first regressed on female size, and residuals of this regression were then regressed on male size. The positive effect of increasing male size on the characteristics of female reproduction manifested as a significant value of the latter regressions. The expected positive effect of increasing male body size on female reproductive characteristics was not detected. Several reasons for this deficiency are discussed.
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8
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Wang FJ, Hsiao CH, Hsiung TT. Marketing strategies of the female-only gym industry: A case-based industry perspective. Front Psychol 2022; 13:928882. [PMID: 36211928 PMCID: PMC9539908 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.928882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Female customers are an important market for fitness centers. This study aims to examine successful fitness training health models used by female fitness clubs. A case study approach and the interview method were used to collect data (i.e., face-to-face interviews) regarding the marketing strategies of female fitness clubs. Purposive sampling was employed to select executives working at the headquarters of a female-only gym, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide a context for fitness behaviors and to discuss the business’ marketing mix. Six managers at Curves (four female and two male) across six different positions were interviewed. This study found that Curves’ most significant difference compared to other private fitness clubs is that it makes women feel comfortable. Through charitable activities combined with promotions, women feel as if the gym empathizes with them. This study is unique in that it is one of the first studies to explore the business model of the female fitness club. In particular, this research suggests that sports organizations should focus their services strategies on female exercise demands. The findings of this study will support the development of marketing strategies to promote the growth of women’s health as a priority within the fitness industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fong-Jia Wang
- Office of Physical Education, Tamkang University, New Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Fong-Jia Wang,
| | - Chia-Huei Hsiao
- Department of Leisure and Sport Management, National Taipei University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Tien Hsiung
- Department of Turkish Language and Culture, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Baer-Imhoof B, den Boer SPA, Boomsma JJ, Baer B. Sperm Storage Costs Determine Survival and Immunocompetence in Newly Mated Queens of the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta colombica. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.759183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the leaf-cutting ant Atta colombica, queens receive ejaculates from multiple males during one single mating event early in their lives. A queen’s fertility and fitness therefore depend on maximizing the number of sperm cells she can store and maintain inside her spermatheca. Previous studies implied significant physiological mating costs, either originating from energetic investments maximizing sperm survival, or from resolving sexual conflicts to terminate male-driven incapacitation of rival sperm via serine proteases found in seminal fluid. Here we conducted an artificial insemination experiment, which allowed us to distinguish between the effects of sperm and seminal fluid within the queen’s sexual tract on her survival and immunocompetence. We found significantly higher mortality in queens that we had inseminated with sperm, independently of whether seminal fluid was present or not. Additionally, after receiving sperm, heavier queens had a higher probability of survival compared to lightweight queens, and immunocompetence decreased disproportionally for queens that had lost weight during the experiment. These findings indicate that queens pay significant physiological costs for maintaining and storing sperm shortly after mating. On the other hand, the presence of seminal fluid within the queens’ sexual tract neither affected their survival nor their immunocompetence. This suggests that the energetic costs that queens incur shortly after mating are primarily due to investments in sperm maintenance and not costs of terminating conflicts between competing ejaculates. This outcome is consistent with the idea that sexually selected traits in social insects with permanent castes can evolve only when they do not affect survival or life-time fitness of queens in any significant way.
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10
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Kamimura Y, Yoshizawa K, Lienhard C, Ferreira RL, Abe J. Evolution of nuptial gifts and its coevolutionary dynamics with male-like persistence traits of females for multiple mating. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:164. [PMID: 34482815 PMCID: PMC8419916 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01901-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many male animals donate nutritive materials during courtship or mating to their female mates. Donation of large-sized gifts, though costly to prepare, can result in increased sperm transfer during mating and delayed remating of the females, resulting in higher paternity. Nuptial gifting sometimes causes severe female-female competition for obtaining gifts (i.e., sex-role reversal in mate competition) and selection on females to increase their mating rate, changing the intensity of sperm competition and the resultant paternity gains. We built a theoretical model to simulate such coevolutionary feedbacks between nuptial gift size (male trait) and propensity for multiple mating (female trait). Donation of nuptial gifts sometimes causes development of female persistence trait for gift acquisition. We also analyzed the causes and consequences of this type of traits, taking double receptacles for nutritious seminal gifts, which are known to occur in an insect group with a "female penis" (Neotrogla spp.), as an illustrative example. RESULTS Our individual-based simulations demonstrated that female-female competition for male-derived nutrients always occur when the environment is oligotrophic and mating costs are low for females. However, a positive correlation between donated gift size and the resultant paternity gain was a requisite for the co-occurrence of large gifts and females' competitive multiple mating for the gifts. When gift donation satisfied female demands and thus resulted in monandry, exaggeration of nuptial gift size also occurred under the assumption that the last male monopolizes paternity. The evolution of double slots for gift acquisition and digestion (female persistence trait) always occurred when males could not satisfy the demands of females for gifts. However, through coevolutionary reduction in male gift size, fixation of this trait in a population drastically reduced the average female fitness. CONCLUSION Sperm usage patterns, which have rarely been examined for animals with nuptial gifts, can be a critical factor for determining the extent of exaggeration in nuptial gifting. Sex-role reversals in mate competition, as a result of donation of nuptial gifts from males to females, can involve the evolution of male-like, persistent traits in females that reduce population productivity, as is the case with persistence traits in males.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazunori Yoshizawa
- Systematic Entomology, School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Charles Lienhard
- Geneva Natural History Museum, CP 6434, 1211, Geneva 6, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo L Ferreira
- Biology Department, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-000, Brazil
| | - Jun Abe
- Faculty of Liberal Arts, Meijigakuin University, Yokohama, Japan
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Zweerus NL, van Wijk M, Schal C, Groot AT. Experimental evidence for female mate choice in a noctuid moth. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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No evidence for increased fitness of offspring from multigenerational effects of parental size or natal carcass size in the burying beetle Nicrophorus marginatus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253885. [PMID: 34234367 PMCID: PMC8263245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multigenerational effects (often called maternal effects) are components of the offspring phenotype that result from the parental phenotype and the parental environment as opposed to heritable genetic effects. Multigenerational effects are widespread in nature and are often studied because of their potentially important effects on offspring traits. Although multigenerational effects are commonly observed, few studies have addressed whether they affect offspring fitness. In this study we assess the effect of potential multigenerational effects of parental body size and natal carcass size on lifetime fitness in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus marginatus (Coleoptera; Silphidae). Lifespan, total number of offspring, and number of offspring in the first reproductive bout were not significantly related to parental body size or natal carcass size. However, current carcass size used for reproduction was a significant predictor for lifetime number of offspring and number of offspring in the first brood. We find no evidence that multigenerational effects from larger parents or larger natal carcasses contribute to increased fitness of offspring.
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Okuzaki Y. Effects of body size divergence on male mating tactics in the ground beetle Carabus japonicus. Evolution 2021; 75:2269-2285. [PMID: 34231214 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Animal body size is involved in reproduction in various ways. Carabus japonicus exhibits considerable variation in adult body size across geographical locations depending on the larval environment. To investigate the effects of body size divergence on male mating traits, spermatophore deposition and weight, copulation duration, and post-copulatory mounting were observed using male-female pairs from C. japonicus populations with different body sizes. Then, variables with high predictive power on the mating traits were identified from individual characteristics. When the male was slightly smaller than his mate, spermatophore deposition likely succeeded, suggesting that mechanical size-assortative insemination determined male body size. Although male reproductive organ size was positively correlated with male body size, spermatophore weight was not significantly affected by male body size, whereas copulation duration decreased with increasing male body size. Enlarged males, with a high capacity for spermatophore production, could increase paternity by decreasing copulation duration and increasing mating frequency. Such shifts in mating tactics would alter selection pressures of intra- and intersexual interactions (e.g., sperm competition and sexual conflict). Genital dimensions also affected mating traits other than copulatory duration. Thus, ecological heterogeneity has the potential to lead to divergences in sexual traits, such as genital morphology, through body size divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Okuzaki
- Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Garlovsky MD, Evans C, Rosenow MA, Karr TL, Snook RR. Seminal fluid protein divergence among populations exhibiting postmating prezygotic reproductive isolation. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:4428-4441. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin D. Garlovsky
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
| | - Caroline Evans
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
| | | | - Timothy L. Karr
- Centre for Mechanisms of Evolution The Biodesign Institute Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
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15
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Sears MJ, Barbosa F, Hamel JA. Prolonged and variable copulation durations in a promiscuous insect species: No evidence of reproductive benefits for females. Behav Processes 2020; 179:104189. [PMID: 32623012 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Within promiscuous mating systems, copulation often functions as more than a means of fertilization, and copulation durations can vary widely. Copulating for prolonged durations can enhance both female and male reproductive success, but can also result in costs: females of some insect species experience increased fecundity and fertility through male-provided nutrition during prolonged copulations, but also decreased longevity due to male-driven mechanisms. Here, for a common, promiscuous insect species (the squash bug, Anasa tristis), we first describe the range of copulation duration, which spans from 2 min to over 23 h. To investigate whether female A. tristis benefit from prolonged copulation, we next manipulated copulation duration and female diet, and we documented the resulting fecundity, fertility, and longevity of each female. We found no evidence that prolonged copulation durations affect female reproductive success. Females produced fertile eggs after a single 30 min copulation, and they subsequently produced fertile eggs for an additional 4 weeks. Our findings suggest that females do not benefit from prolonged copulations, that sperm transfer occurs very early during copulations, and that females can store sperm for long durations. Consequently, we suggest that female harassment avoidance and male mate-guarding may explain prolonged copulations in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia Barbosa
- Department of Biology, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
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16
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17
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Gao K, van Wijk M, Clement Z, Egas M, Groot AT. A life-history perspective on sexual selection in a polygamous species. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:53. [PMID: 32380947 PMCID: PMC7206733 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01618-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ever since Darwin, evolutionary biologists have studied sexual selection driving differences in appearance and behaviour between males and females. An unchallenged paradigm in such studies is that one sex (usually the male) signals its quality as a mate to the other sex (usually the female), who is choosy in accepting a partner. Here, we hypothesize that in polygamous species these roles change dynamically with the mating status of males and females, depending on direct reproductive costs and benefits of multiple matings, and on sperm competition. We test this hypothesis by assessing fitness costs and benefits of multiple matings in both males and females in a polygamous moth species, as in moths not males but females are the signalers and males are the responders. Results We found that multiple matings confer fitness costs and benefits for both sexes. Specifically, the number of matings did not affect the longevity of males or females, but only 67% of the males and 14% of the females mated successfully in all five nights. In addition, the female’s reproductive output increased with multiple matings, although when paired with a new virgin male every night, more than 3 matings decreased her reproductive output, so that the Bateman gradient for females fit a quadratic model better than a linear model. The male’s reproductive success was positively affected by the number of matings and a linear regression line best fit the data. Simulations of the effect of sperm competition showed that increasing last-male paternity increases the steepness of the male Bateman gradient and thus the male’s relative fitness gain from additional mating. Irrespective of last-male paternity value, the female Bateman gradient is steeper than the male one for up to three matings. Conclusion Our results suggest that choosiness in moths may well change throughout the mating season, with males being more choosy early in the season and females being more choosy after having mated at least three times. This life-history perspective on the costs and benefits of multiple matings for both sexes sheds new light on sexual selection forces acting on sexual signals and responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Gao
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michiel van Wijk
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Zoe Clement
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martijn Egas
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Astrid T Groot
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands. .,Department Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans Knoell Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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18
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Lymbery SJ, Wyber B, Tomkins JL, Simmons LW. No evidence for divergence in male harmfulness or female resistance in response to changes in the opportunity for dispersal. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:966-978. [PMID: 32279381 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The outcome of sexual conflict can depend on the social environment, as males respond to changes in the inclusive fitness payoffs of harmfulness and harm females less when they compete with familiar relatives. Theoretical models also predict that if limited male dispersal predictably enhances local relatedness while maintaining global competition, kin selection can produce evolutionary divergences in male harmfulness among populations. Experimental tests of these predictions, however, are rare. We assessed rates of dispersal in female and male seed beetles Callosobruchus maculatus, a model species for studies of sexual conflict, in an experimental setting. Females dispersed significantly more often than males, but dispersing males travelled just as far as dispersing females. Next, we used experimental evolution to test whether limiting dispersal allowed the action of kin selection to affect divergence in male harmfulness and female resistance. Populations of C. maculatus were evolved for 20 and 25 generations under one of three dispersal regimens: completely free dispersal, limited dispersal and no dispersal. There was no divergence among treatments in female reproductive tract scarring, ejaculate size, mating behaviour, fitness of experimental females mated to stock males or fitness of stock females mated to experimental males. We suggest that this is likely due to insufficient strength of kin selection rather than a lack of genetic variation or time for selection. Limited dispersal alone is therefore not sufficient for kin selection to reduce male harmfulness in this species, consistent with general predictions that limited dispersal will only allow kin selection if local relatedness is independent of the intensity of competition among kin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Lymbery
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Blake Wyber
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Joseph L Tomkins
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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19
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Schaefer JLB, Christy JH, Marko PB. Multiple and Extra-Pair Mating in a Pair-Living Hermaphrodite, the Intertidal Limpet Siphonaria gigas. Integr Org Biol 2020; 2:obaa013. [PMID: 33791556 PMCID: PMC7671124 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pair-living is a common social system found across animal taxa, and the relationship between pair-living and reproduction varies greatly among species. Siphonaria gigas, hermaphroditic pulmonate gastropods, often live in pairs in the rocky intertidal zone of the tropical Eastern Pacific. Combining genetic parentage analysis using four polymorphic microsatellite loci with behavioral observations from a 10-week field study, we provide the first description of the mating system of a Siphonaria species incorporating genetic data. S. gigas mated both within-pair and extra-pair and three out of four paired S. gigas individuals produced egg masses with extra-pair paternity. Multiple paternity was detected, but at a relatively low frequency (19% of egg masses) compared to other marine gastropods. Behavioral data indicate one potential advantage of pair-living: paired S. gigas produced almost twice as many egg masses as their solitary counterparts over four reproductive cycles. These observations, together with constraints on the movement of S. gigas, suggest that pairing may ensure mate access and increase reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L B Schaefer
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - John H Christy
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Apartado 0843-03092, República de Panamá
| | - Peter B Marko
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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20
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Divergence in Transcriptional and Regulatory Responses to Mating in Male and Female Fruitflies. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16100. [PMID: 31695054 PMCID: PMC6834580 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating induces extensive physiological, biochemical and behavioural changes in female animals of many taxa. In contrast, the overall phenotypic and transcriptomic consequences of mating for males, hence how they might differ from those of females, are poorly described. Post mating responses in each sex are rapidly initiated, predicting the existence of regulatory mechanisms in addition to transcriptional responses involving de novo gene expression. That post mating responses appear different for each sex also predicts that the genome-wide signatures of mating should show evidence of sex-specific specialisation. In this study, we used high resolution RNA sequencing to provide the first direct comparisons of the transcriptomic responses of male and female Drosophila to mating, and the first comparison of mating-responsive miRNAs in both sexes in any species. As predicted, the results revealed the existence of sex- and body part-specific mRNA and miRNA expression profiles. More genes were differentially expressed in the female head-thorax than the abdomen following mating, whereas the opposite was true in males. Indeed, the transcriptional profile of male head-thorax tissue was largely unaffected by mating, and no differentially expressed genes were detected at the most stringent significance threshold. A subset of ribosomal genes in females were differentially expressed in both body parts, but in opposite directions, consistent with the existence of body part-specific resource allocation switching. Novel, mating-responsive miRNAs in each sex were also identified, and a miRNA-mRNA interactions analysis revealed putative targets among mating-responsive genes. We show that the structure of genome-wide responses by each sex to mating is strongly divergent, and provide new insights into how shared genomes can achieve characteristic distinctiveness.
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21
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Ekechukwu NE, Tripet F. Current versus future reproductive investment adaptive responses in adult Anopheles coluzzii malaria mosquitoes: hydric-stressed males give it all. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:377. [PMID: 31358037 PMCID: PMC6664720 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3608-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Life history theory predicts that an individualʼs current reproductive investment should depend on its future reproductive value. A variety of intrinsic biotic and extrinsic factors influence reproductive value, including age, health status and current environmental conditions. Phenotypic plastic reproductive decisions are particularly crucial in species with limited mating and breeding opportunities. In the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii, the combination of male-male competition and female monandry results in male reproductive success being dependent on limited mating opportunities and sperm reserves. Short life spans combined with 3–4 day gonotrophic cycles imply that females can produce only a limited number of egg-batches in their lifetime and rely on a single maleʼs insemination to do so. Here we experimentally tested the effect of hydric stress on male sperm transfer and female sperm maintenance in this important vector species. Methods Virgin males and females were stressed prior to mating to simulate environmental uncertainty, hence the prospect of a decreased lifespan. They were then paired overnight with non-stressed mates in standardized mating assays. Sperm transfer, uptake and maintenance were quantified using qPCR, and sperm activity determined via video recording. Results When exposed to hydric stress, males responded by increasing their current reproductive investment and transferred significantly larger amounts of sperm to females. There was no significant increase in the mean number of females inseminated overnight by stressed males. In contrast, females did not significantly change their sperm uptake following stress nor did they alter their sperm maintenance strategy after 7-day post-mating hydric stress as measured through sperm activity level and sperm cells quantification. Conclusions As predicted by life-history theory, pre-mating hydric stress was associated with an increase in male current reproductive effort in the form of increased sperm transfer. In contrast, pre and post-mating hydric stress had no impact on sperm uptake and maintenance by females, which is compatible with the prediction that females maximize their reproductive value by withstanding stress periods until a blood meal opportunity and maintain sperm quality towards future egg production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nkiru E Ekechukwu
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.,Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Frédéric Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
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22
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Macartney EL, Crean AJ, Nakagawa S, Bonduriansky R. Effects of nutrient limitation on sperm and seminal fluid: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1722-1739. [PMID: 31215758 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Theory predicts that costly sexual traits should be reduced when individuals are in poor condition (i.e. traits should exhibit condition-dependent expression). It is therefore widely expected that male ejaculate traits, such as sperm and seminal fluid, will exhibit reduced quantity and quality when dietary nutrients are limited. However, reported patterns of ejaculate condition dependence are highly variable, and there has been no comprehensive synthesis of underlying sources of such variation in condition-dependent responses. In particular, it remains unclear whether all ejaculate traits are equally sensitive to nutrient intake, and whether such traits are particularly sensitive to certain dietary nutrients, respond more strongly to nutrients during specific life stages, or respond more strongly in some taxonomic groups. We systematically reviewed these potential sources of variation through a meta-analysis across 50 species of arthropods and vertebrates (from 71 papers and 348 effect sizes). We found that overall, ejaculate traits are moderately reduced when dietary nutrients are limited, but we also detected substantial variation in responses. Seminal fluid quantity was strongly and consistently condition dependent, while sperm quantity was moderately condition dependent. By contrast, aspects of sperm quality (particularly sperm viability and morphology) were less consistently reduced under nutrient limitation. Ejaculate traits tended to respond in a condition-dependent manner to a wide range of dietary manipulations, especially to caloric and protein restriction. Finally, while all major taxa for which sufficient data exist (i.e. arthropods, mammals, fish) showed condition dependence of ejaculate traits, we detected some taxonomic differences in the life stage that is most sensitive to nutrient limitation, and in the degree of condition dependence of specific ejaculate traits. Together, these biologically relevant factors accounted for nearly 20% of the total variance in ejaculate responses to nutrient limitation. Interestingly, body size showed considerably stronger condition-dependent responses compared to ejaculate traits, suggesting that ejaculate trait expression may be strongly canalised to protect important reproductive functions, or that the cost of producing an ejaculate is relatively low. Taken together, our findings show that condition-dependence of ejaculate traits is taxonomically widespread, but there are also many interesting, biologically relevant sources of variation that require further investigation. In particular, further research is needed to understand the differences in selective pressures that result in differential patterns of ejaculate condition dependence across taxa and ejaculate traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Macartney
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angela J Crean
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Russell Bonduriansky
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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23
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Wilson KM, Walker SE. Age at mating and male quality influence female patterns of reproductive investment and survival. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5440-5449. [PMID: 31110692 PMCID: PMC6509372 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The trade-off between the allocation of resources toward somatic maintenance or reproduction is one of the fundamentals of life history theory and predicts that females invest in offspring at the expense of their longevity or vice versa. Mate quality may also affect life history trade-offs through mechanisms of sexual conflict; however, few studies have examined the interaction between mate quality and age at first mating in reproductive decisions. Using house crickets (Acheta domesticus), this study examines how survival and reproductive trade-offs change based on females' age at first reproduction and exposure to males of varying size. Females were exposed to either a large (presumably high-quality) or small male at an early (young), middle (intermediate), or advanced (old) age, and longevity and reproductive investment were subsequently tracked. Females mated at a young age had the largest number of eggs but the shortest total lifespans while females mated at older ages produced fewer eggs but had longer total lifespans. The trade-off between age at first mating and eggs laid appears to be mediated through higher egg-laying rates and shorter postmating lifespans in females mated later in life. Exposure to small males resulted in shorter lifespans and higher egg-laying rates for all females indicating that male manipulation of females, presumably through spermatophore contents, varies with male size in this species. Together, these data strongly support a trade-off between age at first reproduction and lifespan and support the role of sexual conflict in shaping patterns of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerianne M. Wilson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Sean E. Walker
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State UniversityFullertonCalifornia
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24
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Fox RJ, Head ML, Jennions MD. Disentangling the costs of male harassment and the benefits of polyandry for females. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Fox
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Megan L Head
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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25
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Lymbery SJ, Tomkins JL, Simmons LW. Male responses to sperm competition when rivals vary in number and familiarity. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182589. [PMID: 30963943 PMCID: PMC6364580 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Males of many species adjust their reproductive investment to the number of rivals present simultaneously. However, few studies have investigated whether males sum previous encounters with rivals, and the total level of competition has never been explicitly separated from social familiarity. Social familiarity can be an important component of kin recognition and has been suggested as a cue that males use to avoid harming females when competing with relatives. Previous work has succeeded in independently manipulating social familiarity and relatedness among rivals, but experimental manipulations of familiarity are confounded with manipulations of the total number of rivals that males encounter. Using the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, we manipulated three factors: familiarity among rival males, the maximum number of rivals encountered simultaneously and the total number of rivals encountered over a 48 h period. Males produced smaller ejaculates when exposed to more rivals in total, regardless of the maximum number of rivals they encountered simultaneously. Males did not respond to familiarity. Our results demonstrate that males of this species can sum the number of rivals encountered over separate days, and therefore the confounding of familiarity with the total level of competition in previous studies should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Lymbery
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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26
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Lubanga U, Peters R, Steinbauer M. Convenience polyandry and the role of lone and reciprocal calls in a psyllid. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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27
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Wu Q, Wen L, Chen J, Li D, Jiao X. Experimental evidence for the genetic benefits of female mate choice in the monandrous wolf spider Pardosa astrigera. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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28
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Santostefano F, Galarza JA, Mappes J. Testing the direct and genetic benefit hypotheses of polyandry in the wood tiger moth. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2525-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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29
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Iglesias-Carrasco M, Jennions MD, Zajitschek SRK, Head ML. Are females in good condition better able to cope with costly males? Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maider Iglesias-Carrasco
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Australian National University, Research School of Biology, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Australian National University, Research School of Biology, Canberra, Australia
| | - Susanne R K Zajitschek
- Doñana Biological Station – CSIC, Seville, Spain
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Megan L Head
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Australian National University, Research School of Biology, Canberra, Australia
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30
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Turnell BR, Shaw KL, Reeve HK. Modeling strategic sperm allocation: Tailoring the predictions to the species. Evolution 2018; 72:414-425. [PMID: 29331038 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Two major challenges exist when empirically testing the predictions of sperm allocation theory. First, the study species must adhere to the assumptions of the model being tested. Unfortunately, the common assumption of sperm allocation models that females mate a maximum of once or twice does not hold for many, if not most, multiply and sequentially mating animals. Second, a model's parameters, which dictate its predictions, must be measured in the study species. Common examples of such parameters, female mating frequency and sperm precedence patterns, are unknown for many species used in empirical tests. Here, we present a broadly applicable model, appropriate for multiply, sequentially mating animals, and test it in three species for which data on all the relevant parameter values are available. The model predicts that relative allocation to virgin females, compared to nonvirgins, depends on the interaction between female mating rate and the sperm precedence pattern: relative allocation to virgins increases with female mating rate under first-male precedence, while the opposite is true under later-male precedence. Our model is moderately successful in predicting actual allocation patterns in the three species, including a cricket in which we measured the parameter values and performed an empirical test of allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biz R Turnell
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.,Current Address: Department of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kerry L Shaw
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - H Kern Reeve
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
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31
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Nakata K. The timing of female genital mutilation and the role of contralateral palpal insertions in the spider Cyclosa argenteoalba. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170860. [PMID: 29291078 PMCID: PMC5717652 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Some male spiders exhibit female genital mutilation behaviour (FGM) by removing the female genital appendage (scape) to control the mating frequency of females. Female spiders have two, i.e. right and left, genital openings connected with separate spermathecae into which males transfer sperm successively using one pedipalp (secondary genitalia) at a time. Thus, males must complete at least two palpal insertions to fill both spermathecae, before FGM. The present study examined whether (i) scape removal is only associated with the second palpal insertion (one-action hypothesis) or (ii) two contralateral palpal insertions facilitate FGM, with each insertion cutting the basal part of the scape halfway (two-actions hypothesis). Experiments in which females were replaced after a male had made the first insertion did not support the one-action hypothesis, because scapes remained intact after the newly introduced virgin females received their first palpal insertion, which was the second insertion by the males. In comparison, mating experiments using two half-eunuchs (i.e. one of the palps of each male had been manually removed, forcing them to fill female spermatheca on one side only) supported the two-actions hypothesis. FGM was more frequent in females that received two contralateral palpal insertions than in females that received ipsilateral insertions.
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32
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Poinapen D, Konopka JK, Umoh JU, Norley CJD, McNeil JN, Holdsworth DW. Micro-CT imaging of live insects using carbon dioxide gas-induced hypoxia as anesthetic with minimal impact on certain subsequent life history traits. BMC ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1186/s40850-017-0018-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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33
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Meslin C, Cherwin TS, Plakke MS, Hill J, Small BS, Goetz BJ, Wheat CW, Morehouse NI, Clark NL. Structural complexity and molecular heterogeneity of a butterfly ejaculate reflect a complex history of selection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E5406-E5413. [PMID: 28630352 PMCID: PMC5502654 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707680114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Male ejaculates are often structurally complex, and this complexity is likely to influence key reproductive interactions between males and females. However, despite its potential evolutionary significance, the molecular underpinnings of ejaculate structural complexity have received little empirical attention. To address this knowledge gap, we sought to understand the biochemical and functional properties of the structurally complex ejaculates of Pieris rapae butterflies. Males in this species produce large ejaculates called spermatophores composed of an outer envelope, an inner matrix, and a bolus of sperm. Females are thought to benefit from the nutrition contained in the soluble inner matrix through increases in longevity and fecundity. However, the indigestible outer envelope of the spermatophore delays female remating, allowing males to monopolize paternity for longer. Here, we show that these two nonsperm-containing spermatophore regions, the inner matrix and the outer envelope, differ in their protein composition and functional properties. We also reveal how these divergent protein mixtures are separately stored in the male reproductive tract and sequentially transferred to the female reproductive tract during spermatophore assembly. Intriguingly, we discovered large quantities of female-derived proteases in both spermatophore regions shortly after mating, which may contribute to spermatophore digestion and hence, female control over remating rate. Finally, we report evidence of past selection on these spermatophore proteins and female proteases, indicating a complex evolutionary history. Our findings illustrate how structural complexity of ejaculates may allow functionally and/or spatially associated suites of proteins to respond rapidly to divergent selective pressures, such as sexual conflict or reproductive cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Meslin
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (IEES-Paris), 78026 Versailles Cedex, France
| | - Tamara S Cherwin
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Melissa S Plakke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | | | - Brandon S Small
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Breanna J Goetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | | | - Nathan I Morehouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
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34
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Kawazu K, Sugeno W, Mochizuki A, Nakamura S. Polyandry increases reproductive performance but does not decrease survival in female Brontispa longissima. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 107:165-173. [PMID: 27573004 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485316000730] [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] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The costs and benefits of polyandry are still not well understood. We studied the effects of multiple mating on the reproductive performance of female Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), one of the most serious pests of the coconut palm, by using three experimental treatments: (1) singly-mated females (single treatment); (2) females that mated 10 times with the same male (repetition treatment); and (3) females that mated once with each of 10 different males (polyandry treatment). Both multiple mating treatments resulted in significantly greater total egg production and the proportion of eggs that successfully hatched (hatching success) than with the single mating treatment. Furthermore, the polyandry treatment resulted in greater total egg production and hatching success than with the repetition treatment. Thus, mate diversity may affect the direct and indirect benefits of multiple mating. Female longevity, the length of the preoviposition period, the length of the period from emergence to termination of oviposition, and the length of the ovipositing period did not differ among treatments. The pronounced fecundity and fertility benefits that females gain from multiple mating, coupled with a lack of longevity costs, apparently explain the extreme polyandry in B. longissima.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kawazu
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences,Tsukuba,Ibaraki 305-8604,Japan
| | - W Sugeno
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences,Tsukuba,Ibaraki 305-8604,Japan
| | - A Mochizuki
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences,Tsukuba,Ibaraki 305-8604,Japan
| | - S Nakamura
- Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences,1-1 Owashi,Tsukuba,Ibaraki 305-8686,Japan
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35
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Pratt AE, Shure DJ, McLain DK, Banderet K. Male and Female Soldier Beetles Relax Choice for Mate Quality Across Daily Courtship Periods. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ann E. Pratt
- Department of Biology; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro GA USA
| | | | - Denson K. McLain
- Department of Biology; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro GA USA
| | - Katrina Banderet
- Department of Biology; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro GA USA
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Hosseini SA, van Wijk M, Ke G, Goldansaz SH, Schal C, Groot AT. Experimental evidence for chemical mate guarding in a moth. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38567. [PMID: 27934963 PMCID: PMC5146913 DOI: 10.1038/srep38567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In polyandrous species, males seek to maximize their reproductive output by monopolizing their mate. Often the male transfers substances to the female that suppress her sexual receptivity or antagonize the behavior of competing males; both are usually transferred in seminal fluids and represent forms of chemical mate guarding. In moths, more long-range female sex pheromones have been identified than in any other animal group, and males often display with close-range sex pheromones, yet odor-based post-copulatory mate guarding has not been described in moths so far. We tested the hypothesis that the male sex pheromone in the noctuid moth Heliothis virescens perfumes the female and functions as an anti-aphrodisiac. Indeed, virgin females perfumed with male pheromone extract, or with its main component, mated significantly less than control virgin females, and this effect persisted for two successive nights. This chemical mate guarding strategy was disadvantageous for H. virescens females, because the reproductive output of twice-mated females was significantly higher than that of once-mated females. Since the female and male sex pheromones are biosynthetically related in this and other moth species, chemical mate guarding may also impose selection pressure on the long-range female sex pheromone channel and consequently affect the evolution of sexual communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ali Hosseini
- University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michiel van Wijk
- University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,North Carolina State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Gao Ke
- University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Seyed Hossein Goldansaz
- University of Tehran, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Karaj, Iran
| | - Coby Schal
- North Carolina State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Astrid T Groot
- University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,North Carolina State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Raleigh NC, USA.,Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Entomology, Jena, Germany
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Mitra C, Reynoso E, Davidowitz G, Papaj D. Effects of sodium puddling on male mating success, courtship and flight in a swallowtail butterfly. Anim Behav 2016; 114:203-210. [PMID: 27103748 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In many Lepidoptera species usually only males puddle for sodium. Two explanations have been offered for this: (1) neuromuscular activity: males need increased sodium for flight because they are more active flyers than females; and (2) direct benefits: sodium is a type of direct benefit provided by males to females via ejaculate during mating. Surprisingly, there is little direct experimental evidence for either of these. In this study, we examined both explanations using the pipevine swallowtail butterfly, Battus philenor L. If sodium increases neuromuscular activity, males consuming sodium should be better fliers than males without sodium. If males collect sodium for nuptial gifts that benefit their mates, males consuming sodium may have greater mating success than males without sodium. In that case, females then need an honest cue/signal of the quality of male-provided direct benefits that they can assess before mating. If sodium affects male courtship flight by increasing neuromuscular activity, how a male courts could serve as such a premating cue/signal of male benefit quality. Therefore, sodium may benefit males in terms of obtaining mates by increasing their neuromuscular activity. In this study we found that males that consumed sodium courted more vigorously and had greater mating success than males that consumed water. In addition, the courtship displays of males consuming sodium were significantly different from those of males consuming water, providing a possible honest cue/signal of male benefit quality that females can assess. Interestingly, we did not find evidence that sodium consumption affects male flight outside of courtship. That only aspects of male flight related to mating were affected by sodium, while aspects of general flight were not, is consistent with the idea that sodium may benefit males in terms of obtaining mates via effects on neuromuscular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandreyee Mitra
- Department of Biology, North Central College, Naperville, IL, U.S.A
| | - Edgar Reynoso
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A
| | - Goggy Davidowitz
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A
| | - Daniel Papaj
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A
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Worthington AM, Kelly CD. Direct costs and benefits of multiple mating: Are high female mating rates due to ejaculate replenishment? Behav Processes 2016; 124:115-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Bocedi G, Reid JM. Coevolutionary Feedbacks between Female Mating Interval and Male Allocation to Competing Sperm Traits Can Drive Evolution of Costly Polyandry. Am Nat 2016; 187:334-50. [PMID: 26913946 DOI: 10.1086/684746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Complex coevolutionary feedbacks between female mating interval and male sperm traits have been hypothesized to explain the evolution and persistence of costly polyandry. Such feedbacks could potentially arise because polyandry creates sperm competition and consequent selection on male allocation to sperm traits, while the emerging sperm traits could create female sperm limitation and, hence, impose selection for increased polyandry. However, the hypothesis that costly polyandry could coevolve with male sperm dynamics has not been tested. We built a genetically explicit individual-based model to simulate simultaneous evolution of female mating interval and male allocation to sperm number versus longevity, where these two sperm traits trade off. We show that evolution of competing sperm traits under polyandry can indeed cause female sperm limitation and, hence, promote further evolution and persistence of costly polyandry, particularly when sperm are costly relative to the degree of female sperm limitation. These feedbacks were stronger, and greater polyandry evolved, when postcopulatory competition for paternity followed a loaded rather than fair raffle and when sperm traits had realistically low heritability. We therefore demonstrate that the evolution of allocation to sperm traits driven by sperm competition can prevent males from overcoming female sperm limitation, thereby driving ongoing evolution of costly polyandry.
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Levin E, Mitra C, Davidowitz G. Fed males increase oviposition in female hawkmoths via non-nutritive direct benefits. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Lehmann GU, Lehmann AW. Material benefit of mating: the bushcricket spermatophylax as a fast uptake nuptial gift. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Turnell BR, Shaw KL. Polyandry and postcopulatory sexual selection in a wild population. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:6278-88. [PMID: 26577698 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
When females mate multiply, postcopulatory sexual selection can occur via sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Although postcopulatory selection has the potential to be a major force in driving evolution, few studies have estimated its strength in natural populations. Likewise, although polyandry is widespread across taxa and is the focus of a growing body of research, estimates of natural female mating rates are still limited in number. Microsatellites can be used to estimate the number of mates represented in females' sperm stores and the number of sires contributing to their offspring, enabling comparisons both of polyandry and of two components of postcopulatory selection: the proportion of males that mate but fail to sire offspring, and the degree of paternity skew among the males that do sire offspring. Here, we estimate the number of mates and sires among wild females in the Hawaiian swordtail cricket Laupala cerasina. We compare these estimates to the actual mating rates and paternity shares we observed in a semi-natural population. Our results show that postcopulatory sexual selection operates strongly in this species: wild females mated with an average minimum of 3.6 males but used the sperm from only 58% of them. Furthermore, among the males that did sire offspring, paternity was significantly skewed. These patterns were similar to those observed in the field enclosure, where females mated with an average of 5.7 males and used the sperm from 62% of their mates, with paternity significantly skewed among the sires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biz R Turnell
- Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Kerry L Shaw
- Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Jagadeeshan S, Haerty W, Moglinicka M, Ahuja A, De Vito S, Singh RS. Evolutionary Consequences of Male Driven Sexual Selection and Sex-Biased Fitness Modifications in Drosophila melanogaster and Members of the simulans Clade. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 2015; 2015:756269. [PMID: 26421208 PMCID: PMC4569773 DOI: 10.1155/2015/756269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Males have evolved a variety of behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits to manipulate their mates in order to maximize their chances of success. These traits are bound to influence how females respond to male behaviors and influence the nature of sexual selection/conflict. A common consequence of aggressive male mating strategies in Drosophila melanogaster is the reduction of female lifespan. Our study shows that this is common across members of the simulans clade. Reduced life expectancy of females implies that female contribution to a population is less than that of males per generation. Fitness differences between the sexes in every generation will invariably affect overall population fitness. How natural selection responds to the female deaths and thereby the unequal fitness of the sexes has rarely been addressed. We shed light on this issue and provide evidence, which suggests that additional gains of fitness by males due to their longevity and continued mating may provide one explanation as to why the loss of female fitness may be "invisible" (effectively neutral) to natural selection. Male driven sexual selection and additional, transgenerational gains of male fitness can be an important force of evolutionary change and need to be tested with other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Jagadeeshan
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Monika Moglinicka
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Abha Ahuja
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Scot De Vito
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Rama S. Singh
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
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Mestre L, Rodríguez-Teijeiro JD, Tuni C. Females of the Cellar Spider Discriminate Against Previous Mates. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laia Mestre
- Department of Animal Biology; University of Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | | | - Cristina Tuni
- Department Biology II; Ludwig Maximilians University Munich; Planegg-Martinsried Germany
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Okada K, Archer CR, Katsuki M, Suzaki Y, Sharma MD, House CM, Hosken DJ. Polyandry and fitness in female horned flour beetles, Gnatocerus cornutus. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Worthington AM, Jurenka RA, Kelly CD. Mating for male-derived prostaglandin: a functional explanation for the increased fecundity of mated female crickets? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:2720-7. [PMID: 26113140 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.121327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Direct benefits are considered to be the driving force of high female mating rates, yet species in which females do not receive material resources from males still experience increased fitness from mating frequently. One hypothesis suggests that substances within the ejaculate may boost survival or offspring production. If these materials are limiting to females, they will require continual renewal via mating and could provide a functional understanding of how high mating rates lead to increased female fitness. Using the Texas field cricket, Gryllus texensis, we investigated the sexual transfer of prostaglandin E2, an important mediator of invertebrate reproduction. We determined that like other gryllid species, males include significant quantities of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its precursor molecule, arachidonic acid (AA), within the spermatophore. These components are passed to females during copulation and then stored within the spermatheca. We then tested the novel hypothesis that PGE2 is ephemerally available after mating and that females must frequently mate to maintain access to this limiting compound. We found that PGE2 within the spermatheca is indeed depleted through time, with only a small amount remaining 1 week after mating, but that its presence can be maintained at high quantities and for prolonged periods of time by remating. Our results support the hypothesis that high female mating rates increase the amount and availability of PGE2 throughout the breeding season, which could explain the positive relationship between female mating rate and fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Worthington
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Russell A Jurenka
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Clint D Kelly
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3P8
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50
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Experimental removal of sexual selection leads to decreased investment in an immune component in female Tribolium castaneum. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 33:212-8. [PMID: 25958137 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Because of divergent selection acting on males and females arising from different life-history strategies, polyandry can be expected to promote sexual dimorphism of investment into immune function. In previous work we have established the existence of such divergence within populations where males and females are exposed to varying degrees of polyandry. We here test whether the removal of sexual selection via enforced monogamy generates males and females that have similar levels of investment in immune function. To test this prediction experimentally, we measured differences between the sexes in a key immune measurement (phenoloxidase (PO) activity) and resistance to the microsporidian Paranosema whitei in Tribolium castaneum lines that evolved under monogamous (sexual selection absent) vs polyandrous (sexual selection present) mating systems. At generation 49, all selected lines were simultaneously assessed for PO activity and resistance to their natural parasite P. whitei after two generations of relaxed selection. We found that the polyandrous regime was associated with a clear dimorphism in immune function: females had significantly higher PO activities than males in these lines. In contrast, there was no such difference between the sexes in the lines evolving under the monogamous regime. Survival in the infection experiment did not differ between mating systems or sexes. Removing sexual selection via enforced monogamy thus seems to erase intersexual differences in immunity investment. We suggest that higher PO activities in females that have evolved under sexual selection might be driven by the increased risk of infections and/or injuries associated with exposure to multiple males.
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