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Yan JL, Rosenbaum JR, Esteves S, Dobbin ML, Dukas R. Sexual conflict and social networks in bed bugs: effects of social experience. Behav Ecol 2024; 35:arae030. [PMID: 38690087 PMCID: PMC11059254 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Living in groups can provide essential experience that improves sexual performance and reproductive success. While the effects of social experience have drawn considerable scientific interest, commonly used behavioral assays often do not capture the dynamic nature of interactions within a social group. Here, we conducted 3 experiments using a social network framework to test whether social experience during early adulthood improves the sexual competence of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) when placed in a complex and competitive group environment. In each experiment, we observed replicate groups of bed bugs comprising previously socialized and previously isolated individuals of the same sex, along with an equal number of standardized individuals of the opposite sex. Regardless of whether we controlled for their insemination history, previously isolated males mounted and inseminated females at significantly higher rates than previously socialized males. However, we found no evidence of social experience influencing our other measures of sexual competence: proportion of mounts directed at females, ability to overcome female resistance, and strength of opposite-sex social associations. We similarly did not detect effects of social experience on our female sexual competence metrics: propensity to avoid mounts, rate of successfully avoiding mounts, opposite-sex social association strength, and rate of receiving inseminations. Our findings indicate that early social experience does not improve sexual competence in male and female bed bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Yan
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jack R Rosenbaum
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Selena Esteves
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Maggie L Dobbin
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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2
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Foulks Z, Parks J, Stoecker W, Kristensen C, Hebets EA, Shi H. Identification and quantification of 11 airborne biochemicals emitted by the brown recluse and another primitive hunting spider using headspace solid-phase microextraction-GC/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:6605-6615. [PMID: 34476521 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03626-8] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Loxosceles reclusa, or brown recluse spider, is a harmful household spider whose habitat extends throughout the Midwest in the USA and other regions in the world. The pheromones and other biomolecules that facilitate signaling for brown recluses and other spider species are poorly understood. A rapid and sensitive method is needed to analyze airborne spider signaling biomolecules to better understand the structure and function of these biochemicals in order to control the population of the spiders. In this study, we developed a novel headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC/MS method to analyze potential pheromones and biomolecules emitted by the brown recluse spider. The method is highly selective and sensitive for biomolecule identification and quantification from a single live spider. Using this novel non-destructive HS-SPME-GC/MS technique, we identified 11 airborne biomolecules, including 4-methylquinazoline, dimethyl sulfone, 2-methylpropanoic acid, butanoic acid, hexanal, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 2,4-dimethylbenzaldehyde, 2-phenoxyethanol, and citral (contains both isomers of neral and geranial). Some of these airborne biomolecules were also reported as semiochemicals associated with biological functions of other spiders and insects. The method was also applied to study the airborne biochemicals of Plectreurys tristis, another primitive hunting spider with a poor web, enabling quantitation of the same compounds and demonstrating a difference in signaling molecule concentrations between the two species. This method has potential application in the study of pheromones and biological signaling in other species, which allows for the possibility of utilizing attractant or deterrent functions to limit household populations of harmful species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Foulks
- Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 400 W 11th Street, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA
| | - Jennifer Parks
- Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 400 W 11th Street, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA
- The Dermatology Center and SpiderTek, Rolla, MO, 65401, USA
| | | | | | - Eileen A Hebets
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Honglan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 400 W 11th Street, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA.
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3
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Allen ER, Weir LK. Does recent experience affect large male advantage in a sequentially-mating fish? BEHAVIOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In many mating systems, large male body size is associated with dominance in direct contests with rivals and females may exhibit preference for larger males. As such, body size is often positively associated with mating success. However, mating experience can influence the potential advantage of large body size through alterations in behaviour and depletion of sperm reserves. In Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), males mate with many females each day, and larger males mate more frequently than smaller males. In an observational experiment, we tested the following alternate predictions: (1) recent mating experience may enhance mating success through a carry-over effect of prior mating, whereby small experienced males gain an advantage over large inexperienced rivals in mating contests; or (2) recent mating experience decreases mating success through a reduction in fertilization due to sperm limitation, effectively dampening the large-male advantage against a small inexperienced rival. We examined the interactive effect of size and recent experience on mating behaviour and success. While mating contests were monopolized by large males, recent experience enhanced mating success, especially in small male winners. Experienced males courted more readily than those without recent experience, suggesting that recent prior mating enhances this behaviour. Furthermore, males who had copulated recently did not exhibit sperm depletion when in the presence of a competitor, nor did female behaviour indicate a preference for inexperienced males. This suggests that males can use sexual experience to increase their reproductive success in future mating situations, which may influence the action of sexual selection and alternative tactics in shaping mating systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Allen
- Biology Department, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Laura K. Weir
- Biology Department, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Dougherty LR. Meta-analysis reveals that animal sexual signalling behaviour is honest and resource based. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:688-699. [PMID: 33723423 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01409-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Animals often need to signal to attract mates and behavioural signalling may impose substantial energetic and fitness costs to signallers. Consequently, individuals often strategically adjust signalling effort to maximize the fitness payoffs of signalling. An important determinant of these payoffs is individual state, which can influence the resources available to signallers, their likelihood of mating and their motivation to mate. However, empirical studies often find contradictory patterns of state-based signalling behaviour. For example, individuals in poor condition may signal less than those in good condition to conserve resources (ability-based signalling) or signal more to maximize short-term reproductive success (needs-based signalling). To clarify this relationship, I systematically searched for published studies examining animal sexual signalling behaviour in relation to six aspects of individual state: age, mated status, attractiveness, body size, condition and parasite load. Across 228 studies and 147 species, individuals (who were predominantly male) invested more into behavioural signalling when in good condition. Overall, this suggests that animal sexual signalling behaviour is generally honest and ability-based. However, the magnitude of state-dependent plasticity was small and there was a large amount of between-study heterogeneity that remains unexplained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam R Dougherty
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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5
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Berry AD, Rypstra AL. Detection of web builder size via chemical cues present on silk by web-invading cellar spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae). Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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6
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Sonnleitner R, Ringler M, Loretto MC, Ringler E. Experience shapes accuracy in territorial decision-making in a poison frog. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200094. [PMID: 32396784 PMCID: PMC7280039 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The trade-off between speed and accuracy affects many behavioural processes like predator avoidance, foraging and nest-site selection, but little is known about this trade-off relative to territorial behaviour. Some poison frogs are highly territorial and fiercely repel calling male intruders. However, attacks need to be conducted cautiously, as they are energetically costly and bear the risk of own injury or accidentally targeting the wrong individual. In this study, we investigated the speed–accuracy trade-off in the context of male territoriality during the breeding season in the brilliant-thighed poison frog, Allobates femoralis. In our experiment, we presented the call of an invisible ‘threatening’ intruder together with a visible ‘non-threatening’ intruder, using acoustic playback and a frog model, respectively. Contrary to our prediction, neither reaction time nor approach speed of the tested frogs determined the likelihood of erroneous attacks. However, younger individuals were more likely to attack the non-threatening model than older ones, suggesting that experience plays an essential role in identifying and distinguishing rivalling individuals in a territorial context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Sonnleitner
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Max Ringler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias-Claudio Loretto
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Eva Ringler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Kin Recognition in two Species of Cellar Spiders, (Pholcidae), and its Effects on Inter- and Intra-Specific Predation of Spiderlings. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-181.2.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Dion E, Monteiro A, Nieberding CM. The Role of Learning on Insect and Spider Sexual Behaviors, Sexual Trait Evolution, and Speciation. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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10
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Jiang X, Zhao Y, Yan Q, Li C, Jiang Q, Yun Y, Peng Y. Effects of age on the courtship, copulation, and fecundity of Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae). Behav Processes 2017; 146:10-15. [PMID: 29108930 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
According to sexual selection theory, age affects the preference of mate choice, and this preference ultimately influences the fecundity of the female. Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae) is a valued predator in many cropping systems. By determining oviposition rate, egg hatching rate, and also the number and carapace width of the 2nd instar spiderlings of the F1 generation, we explored the effects of age on fecundity of the female spider. There were no significant effects of age on courtship duration, sexual cannibalism rate, mating rate, oviposition rate, egg hatching rate, or the number and carapace width of 2nd instar spiderings of P. pseudoannulata. However, age had a significant effect on courtship latency, courtship intensity, and mating duration of the spider. Courtship latency decreased significantly with an increase in the age of the male, and courtship intensity of the low-age male increased with increasing female age. Increasing age of male and female spiders was associated with significantly prolonged mating duration. The results indicated that low-age male spiders were more inclined to mate with high-age females, and age had no significant effect on sexual cannibalism rate or the fecundity of the female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Qian Yan
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Changchun Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, PR China
| | - Qinghong Jiang
- Shangcheng Inspection Station for Agricultural Products Quality and Safety, Henan 465300, PR China
| | - Yueli Yun
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Yu Peng
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China.
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Ferkin MH, Ferkin AC. The time interval between sequential mating affects the response of male meadow voles to previous mates. BEHAVIOUR 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Male meadow voles differed in their copulatory behaviour, mating and reproductive success, and odour preferences for successively encountered mates, when the interval between pairing with two females was 1 h, 1 day, 4 days, 7 days or 10 days. Male voles had shorter latencies to first ejaculation with female 2 than with female 1 when the interval was 1 h, which may be attributed to heightened sexual arousal in males for female 2. Males also had shorter copulatory bouts with female 2 than with female 1 when the intervals between pairings were 1 h and 1 day. Shorter copulation bouts may allow more mating opportunities for both sexes and encourage multiple mating. Male voles also preferred the scent marks of female 2 to those of female 1 when the interval between pairing was 7 or 10 days, suggesting that these females were treated as distinct entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. Ferkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Ellington Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Adam C. Ferkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Ellington Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
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Prokuda AY, Roff DA. The quantitative genetics of sexually selected traits, preferred traits and preference: a review and analysis of the data. J Evol Biol 2014; 27:2283-96. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Y. Prokuda
- Department of Biology; University of California; Riverside CA USA
| | - D. A. Roff
- Department of Biology; University of California; Riverside CA USA
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Guevara-Fiore P, Svensson PA, Endler JA. Sex as moderator of early life experience: interaction between rearing environment and sexual experience in male guppies. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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14
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Effect of rearing environment and food availability on seismic signalling in male wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae). Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Hebert OL, Dzieweczynski TL. Influence of prior exposure to females on behavioral consistency in male Siamese fighting fish. BEHAVIOUR 2011. [DOI: 10.1163/156853911x618556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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