Influence of body size and familiarity on mating and reproductive parameters in the zig-zag ladybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-463
Author(s):  
Priya Singh ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Omkar
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Egg Viability ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Ladybird Beetle ◽  
Mating Duration

Body size often indicates an individual’s quality and so mate selection is typically for larger individuals, including in ladybirds (Coccinellidae). Many organisms including ladybirds are also are known to refuse mating attempts with familiar individuals, but whether at the expense of mating with larger individuals is not clear. We assessed the cumulative effect of body size and familiarity on mating and reproductive behaviour in the zig-zag ladybird beetle (Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius, 1781) = Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781)). For this study, individuals were separated into small- and large-bodied individuals and allowed to mate in all possible combinations. Furthermore, following the first mating, an immediate second mating was provided to the males, with either a familiar (same as in the first mating) or an unfamiliar (new female with the same mating status) female. Mating and reproductive parameters were recorded. The mating duration was longer with familiar partners than unfamiliar individuals. Mating duration was shorter for the second mating, suggesting that mating and ejaculate transfer are costly, to assure higher reproductive success. In this ladybird beetle, familiarity modified mating duration, whereas fecundity and egg viability were influenced by body size.

Mating status of coexisting conspecific individuals modulate reproduction in a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-214
Author(s):  
Shashwat Singh ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Omkar
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Ladybird Beetle ◽  
Close Vicinity ◽  
Offspring Fitness ◽  
Petri Dishes

Abstract The mating status of organisms plays a crucial role in deciphering mating decision and reproductive success of any organisms. Odour or pheromones are known to be perceived by animals through olfaction to locate mates at a distance. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of the presence of unmated and mated conspecific adults on mating and reproductive parameters of the ladybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius, 1781). To conduct this experiment, an arena was made with the help of two Petri dishes and in such a manner that the experimental adults were only able to perceive the presence of conspecific adults of different mating status in their close vicinity. The results of the study demonstrated an early onset of mating in the presence of males compared to females. Another male in the vicinity poses competition that may force the males to establish genital contact faster. In the absence of any potential rival, copulation duration was highest. Females laid more eggs in the presence of mated females. This may be to increase offspring fitness in the presence of potential competitors for the already mated female. Females laid fewer eggs in the presence of unmated females. Unmated females nearby can be another choice for a male and thus, the male possibly limits the size of the ejaculate containing oviposition stimulants. The current study advocates that mating and reproductive behaviour are modulated according to the perceived surroundings in the form of conspecific adults of different mating status.

Impact of female mating status and female familiarity with remating interval on the reproductive success of Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
Priya Singh ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Omkar
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Fundamental Parameter ◽  
Egg Viability ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Female Mating ◽  
Propylea Dissecta ◽  
Sperm Expenditure ◽  
Mating Opportunities

Abstract Remating rate is a fundamental parameter that acts on disease transmission, sexual dimorphism, and the rate of evolution of species. Recent studies have indicated that sperm production can be costly. It is thus likely that males may tailor their sperm expenditure according to female mating status and the remating interval between successive matings. In this study, we investigated the effects of male remating interval, female mating status and familiarity of females in the ladybird beetle Propylea dissecta (Mulsant). Ten-day-old adults were allowed to mate and, post disengagement, these adults were exposed to second mating opportunities, either immediately after the first mating, or 6, 18 or 24 h later. To assess the effect of female mating status, the males were subjected to mating with virgin and mated females. Similarly, for assessing the effects of female familiarity, males were subjected to mating with either familiar or unfamiliar females. With increasing remating interval individuals mated for longer, resulting in higher fecundity. Percent egg viability increased with increased remating interval and was highest at 24 h. Mated and unfamiliar females were found to be more fecund than virgin females. Mated females produced a higher number of viable eggs than virgins, suggesting that multiple mating and promiscuity are essential for maximizing the reproductive success of both sexes.

Size does not matter for male Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 735-740
Author(s):  
D.A. Croshaw ◽  
J.H.K. Pechmann
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Ambystoma Opacum ◽  
Positive Assortative Mating ◽  
Important Trait ◽  
Breeding Groups ◽  
Gravid Females

Understanding the phenotypic attributes that contribute to variance in mating and reproductive success is crucial in the study of evolution by sexual selection. In many animals, body size is an important trait because larger individuals enjoy greater fitness due to the ability to secure more mates and produce more offspring. Among males, this outcome is largely mediated by greater success in competition with rival males and (or) advantages in attractiveness to females. Here we tested the hypothesis that large male Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum (Gravenhorst, 1807)) mate with more females and produce more offspring than small males. In experimental breeding groups, we included males chosen specifically to represent a range of sizes. After gravid females mated and nested freely, we collected egg clutches and genotyped all adults and samples of hatchlings with highly variable microsatellite markers to assign paternity. Size had little effect on male mating and reproductive success. Breeding males were not bigger than nonbreeding males, mates of polyandrous females were not smaller than those of monogamous females, and there was no evidence for positive assortative mating by size. Although body size did not matter for male Marbled Salamanders, we documented considerable fitness variation and discuss alternative traits that could be undergoing sexual selection.

Clutch quality is related to embryonic development duration, hatchling body size and telomere length in the spined toad (Bufo spinosus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Marion Cheron ◽  
Frédéric Angelier ◽  
Cécile Ribout ◽  
François Brischoux
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Parental Quality ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Development Duration

Abstract Reproductive success is often related to parental quality, a parameter expressed through various traits, such as site selection, mate selection and energetic investment in the eggs or progeny. Owing to the complex interactions between environmental and parental characteristics occurring at various stages of the reproductive event, it is often complicated to tease apart the relative contributions of these different factors to reproductive success. Study systems where these complex interactions are simplified (e.g. absence of parental care) can help us to understand how metrics of parental quality (e.g. gamete and egg quality) influence reproductive success. Using such a study system in a common garden experiment, we investigated the relationships between clutch hatching success (a proxy of clutch quality) and offspring quality in an amphibian species lacking post-oviposition parental care. We found a relationship between clutch quality and embryonic development duration and hatchling phenotype. We found that hatchling telomere length was linked to hatching success. These results suggest that clutch quality is linked to early life traits in larval amphibians and that deciphering the influence of parental traits on the patterns we detected is a promising avenue of research.

Male reproductive behaviour and spawning success in a temperate zone goby, Coryphopterus nicholsi

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 2309-2316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen S. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Male Size ◽  
Size Standard ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Spawning Success

Coryphopterus nicholsi is a temperate zone marine goby. In laboratory groups of fish, females preferentially spawn with dominant males; assessment of dominance appears to be based upon courting vigour. Male size (standard length) and dominance were often, but not always, highly correlated. In contrast, there was no consistent correlation between territorial quality and spawning success. Smaller males in laboratory groups did not court females or guard eggs. However, their behaviour and testicular development during the reproductive season suggest that they may engage in sneak spawning. Dominant males are more likely to successfully guard eggs against conspecific predators than are subordinate males, and hence females should have greater reproductive success if they choose dominant males for spawning partners.

Reproductive strategies and chromosomal aberrations affect survival in the Rivuliid fish Hypsolebias sertanejo

Zygote ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mariana Machado Evangelista ◽  
Elizabeth Romagosa ◽  
Diógenes Henrique Siqueira-Silva ◽  
George Shigueki Yasui ◽  
Takafumi Fujimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Chromosomal Abnormalities ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Ploidy Status

Summary Rivulidae comprises a family of fish largely distributed in Brazil that includes 201 species, of which 125 are considered endangered. This fact emphasizes the need for development of conservation strategies including studies on genetics and reproduction. In this paper, we describe aspects of biology and reproduction of the rivuliid species Hypsolebias sertanejo. We outline the reproductive behaviour of this species under laboratory conditions, analyze ploidy status by flow cytometry, describe reproductive behaviour and performance and test dry and wet incubation of eggs. Although H. sertanejo showed well known patterns of reproductive behaviour, we verified many peculiarities inherent to its reproductive biology. As expected, most individuals were diploid (87.71%), however 14.29% were considered mosaics. Although no sterility was observed within mosaics, infertility of these fish was not fully evaluated. Hatching rate of the eggs collected was very low following both dry and wet incubation (5.04 and 3.79%, respectively). These results provide interesting information regarding the reproductive success of this species, and suggest that chromosomal abnormalities described may reduce the survival of H. sertanejo under natural conditions, limiting the perpetuation of this species, and emphasizing the need for more preservation efforts, including artificial propagation and gene banking.

Mating experience influences mate choice and reproductive output in an aphidophagous ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Dubey ◽  
Swati Saxena ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Mating Experience ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractInformation about mating status can be used to decide about whether to invest resources in mating with a particular partner. In the present study, we evaluated mate choice in relation to the mating experience of males and females ofMenochilus sexmaculatus. We subjected both unmated and multiply mated males and females to different mate choice trials. The mating experience of the adults includes unmated, once-mated, twice-mated and multiply mated. The mate choice trials revealed that unmated adults were preferred over mated adults by both unmated and multiply mated partners. This preference for unmated partners also had consequences for mating behaviour and reproductive output. Unmated and multiply mated females commenced mating with unmated males earlier. In addition, unmated and multiply mated males invested more time in copula with unmated females. Moreover, females mated with unmated males were more fecund than those mated with previously mated males. This suggests that mating experience of mates may influence mating and reproductive behaviour in this species.

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