Fertility, mating behaviour and sexual selection inDrosophila Subobscura

1956 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Maynard Smith
2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Evans ◽  
Bryan D. Neff ◽  
Daniel D. Heath

Sexual selection is recognized as an important evolutionary force in salmon. However, relatively little is known about variation in sexual selection pressures across salmon populations or the potential role of natural selection as a driver of adaptive mating patterns. Here, we examine mating behaviour and correlates of reproductive success in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from the Quinsam and Little Qualicum rivers in British Columbia, Canada — two populations for which we have previously found evidence of natural selection operating on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. In both populations, males courted females and exhibited dominance behaviour towards other males, and the frequency of each behaviour was positively associated with reproductive success. Males were more aggressive towards females with whom they would produce offspring of low or high MHC class II diversity, and the offspring of males from the Quinsam River exhibited higher diversity at the MHC class I than expected. We discuss our results in relation to local natural selection pressures on the MHC and the potential for MHC-dependent mate choice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 1343-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerio Sbragaglia ◽  
Catalina Gliese ◽  
David Bierbach ◽  
Andrew E. Honsey ◽  
Silva Uusi‐Heikkilä ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20121150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayami Sekizawa ◽  
Satoko Seki ◽  
Masakazu Tokuzato ◽  
Sakiko Shiga ◽  
Yasuhiro Nakashima

Although it is often thought that sexual selection is weaker in simultaneous hermaphrodites than in gonochorists, some simultaneous hermaphrodites exhibit bizarre mating behaviour. In the simultaneously hermaphroditic nudibranch Chromodoris reticulata , we found a peculiar mating behaviour, wherein the nudibranch autotomized its penis after each copulation and was able to copulate again within 24 h. To have sufficient length to be replenished for three copulations, the penis is compressed and spiralled internally. No other animal is known to repeatedly copulate using such ‘disposable penes’. Entangled sperm masses were observed on the outer surface of the autotomized penis, which is equipped with many backward-pointed spines. There is a possibility that the nudibranch removes sperm already stored in a mating partner's sperm storage organ(s).


2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1731) ◽  
pp. 1233-1240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Tschirren ◽  
Erik Postma ◽  
Alison N. Rutstein ◽  
Simon C. Griffith

Quality differences between offspring sired by the social and by an extra-pair partner are usually assumed to have a genetic basis, reflecting genetic benefits of female extra-pair mate choice. In the zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ), we identified a colour ornament that is under sexual selection and appears to have a heritable basis. Hence, by engaging in extra-pair copulations with highly ornamented males, females could, in theory, obtain genes for increased offspring attractiveness. Indeed, sons sired by extra-pair partners had larger ornaments, seemingly supporting the genetic benefit hypothesis. Yet, when comparing ornament size of the social and extra-pair partners, there was no difference. Hence, the observed differences most likely had an environmental basis, mediated, for example, via differential maternal investment of resources into the eggs fertilized by extra-pair and social partners. Such maternal effects may (at least partly) be mediated by egg size, which we found to be associated with mean ornament expression in sons. Our results are consistent with the idea that maternal effects can shape sexual selection by altering the genotype–phenotype relationship for ornamentation. They also caution against automatically attributing greater offspring attractiveness or viability to an extra-pair mate's superior genetic quality, as without controlling for differential maternal investment we may significantly overestimate the role of genetic benefits in the evolution of extra-pair mating behaviour.


Behaviour ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 363-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey Fowler-Finn ◽  
Sarah L. Boyer ◽  
Raine Ikagawa ◽  
Timothy Jeffries ◽  
Penelope C. Kahn ◽  
...  

Abstract Mating behaviour is highly diverse in animals both among and within species. We examine variation in mating behaviour in leiobunine harvestmen, which show high diversity in genitalic traits that are predicted to correspond to patterns of behavioural diversity. We ran mating trials for six species of leiobunine from four locations, and measured body size for a subset of individuals. We described mating behaviour in detail—providing the first formal description for most species—and examined variation inter- and intraspecific in body size and behaviour. Individuals were smaller in northern populations. Furthermore, we found species- and population-specific behaviours, high variation in the timing and success of different stages of mating, and high remating rates. However, we found no correlation between behavioural and morphological variation. Leiobunine harvestmen offer an excellent system for understanding multiple mechanisms of sexual selection and geographic diversification of mating behaviour.


2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Raghu

AbstractWhile lures of plant origin are vital tools in dacine (Diptera: Tephritidae) pest management, the ecological and evolutionary significance of this lure response remains enigmatic. Two hypotheses (the ancestral host hypothesis and sexual selection by female choice) have been invoked to explain the functional significance of these chemicals to dacine fruit flies. These hypotheses are often treated as alternatives to one another and evidence favouring one is used to reject the other. This review highlights that these two hypotheses are not logical alternatives to each other as the ancestral host hypothesis attempts to explain the ultimate function of the response of Dacinae to these plant-derived parapheromones while the sexual selection hypothesis provides a proximate explanation for lure response. Research on lure response, dacine mating behaviour, functional significance of lures, plant phylogeny and biochemistry and dacine pheromone chemistry are used to evaluate the evidence in relation to both these hypotheses. Some of the key findings are that there is evidence both in support of and against these two hypotheses. Response of fruit flies to related phenyl propanoids to those commonly used as lures in pest management and distribution of phenyl propanoids attractive to dacines among plant orders strongly support the ancestral host hypothesis. Evidence from pheromone chemistry, dacine mating behaviour and the functional significance of lures both support and contradict the sexual selection hypothesis. Lures appear to have different proximate functions in different dacine species. Considerably greater research is needed to clarify the functional role of phytochemical lures to dacine fruit flies. The two prevalent hypotheses should be investigated independently. Specific research on dacine phylogeny and distribution of lures in plants in relation to ecological roles played by adult dacines is required to elucidate the ultimate roles of the chemicals. Exploration of female response to lures and the behavioural consequences of dacine response to these chemicals to both the insect and plant may shed light on the proximate functions of these chemicals.


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