Reproductive success in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) established using molecular techniques

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1537-1548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A Wilson ◽  
Wes Olson ◽  
Curtis Strobeck
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
National Park ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Wood Bison ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
Linear Regressions

In this study, we used 21 microsatellite loci to establish the reproductive success of the wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) population at Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada. Wood bison are considered threatened in Canada, and this population is currently used to found new populations. Despite the low levels of genetic variation in this population, we were able to establish paternity in 253 and maternity in 295 of the 317 calves born in Elk Island National Park over the 4-year study period. Roughly 40% of the mature males were reproductively successful each year. Mature males produced a mean of 3.8 offspring over the study period, with a range of 0–24. Each year, approximately 50–70% of the cows produced calves, with a mean of 2.7 over the study period. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the effects of age, mass, heterozygosity, prior success, and the year of conception on male and female reproductive success. Only mass and prior success were useful in predicting male reproductive success. Female reproductive success depended on age, mass, and prior success and was also affected by environmental differences between years. No evidence was found for inbreeding avoidance in wood bison.

scholarly journals A putative novel role for Eip74EF in male reproduction in promoting sperm elongation at the cost of male fecundity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif Chebbo ◽  
Sarah Josway ◽  
John M. Belote ◽  
Mollie K. Manier
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Sperm Length ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Fitness Advantage ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Opposing Effects ◽  
The Cost

ABSTRACTSpermatozoa are the most morphologically variable cell type, yet little is known about genes controlling natural variation in sperm shape. Drosophila fruit flies have the longest sperm known, which are evolving under postcopulatory sexual selection, driven by sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Long sperm outcompete short sperm but primarily when females have a long seminal receptacle (SR), the primary sperm storage organ. Thus, selection on sperm length is mediated by SR length, and the two traits are coevolving across the Drosophila lineage, driven by a genetic correlation and fitness advantage of long sperm and long SR genotypes in both males and females. Ecdysone induced protein 74EF (Eip74EF) is expressed during post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis, when spermatid elongation occurs, and we found that it is rapidly evolving under positive selection in Drosophila. Hypomorphic knockout of the E74A isoform leads to shorter sperm but does not affect SR length, suggesting that E74A may be involved in promoting spermatid elongation but is not a genetic driver of male-female coevolution. We also found that E74A knockout has opposing effects on fecundity in males and females, with an increase in fecundity for males but a decrease in females, consistent with its documented role in oocyte maturation. Our results suggest a novel function of Eip74EF in spermatogenesis and demonstrates that this gene influences both male and female reproductive success. We speculate on possible roles for E74A in spermatogenesis and male reproductive success.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSEip74EF promotes oocyte maturation in Drosophila. We found evidence that it also promotes sperm elongation in males, but at a cost to male fecundity. Mutant males have shorter sperm but have higher reproductive success, while females have reduced fecundity.

Growth, mortality, and longevity of the Egyptian tortoise Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, 1883

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Macale ◽  
Massimiliano Scalici ◽  
Alberto Venchi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Threatened Taxa

Both demography and population regulation play an important role in the theory of sustainable exploitation and conservation of threatened taxa, such as terrestrial Chelonia. Here, we show and discuss some dynamic aspects of Testudo kleinmanni using modal progression analysis of length compositions. Although the Testudinata physiology is very different from that of fish, their growth model conforms to the Von Bertalanffy growth model. We observed a maximum of three age classes for both juveniles and females, and four classes for males. No appreciable between-sex differences were found in growth patterns, except for the diverse asymptotic length. Females should be subject to a strong sexual selection to quickly reach a large size in order to optimize lifetime reproductive output. The T. kleinmanni male size could be driven by predation escape and by easy accessibility to females, rather than by fighting for them. Thus, male reproductive success increases with the ability to fertilize females and female reproductive success increases with the ability to produce eggs, creating a large divergence in the context of selection between sexes. Different selective (synergetic or antagonistic) forces would appear to favor divergence in size between sexes. Additional properties found in the study regard the elevated mortality rate, probably also due to the human impact (poaching), and the relatively high longevity (26 and 22 years for females and males, respectively). Dynamics studies are useful for planning in situ activities of monitoring the population status, and could have a role in introducting programs and in control of reintroduced individuals during a restocking project.

scholarly journals Quantitative trait locus mapping of fitness-related traits in Drosophila melanogaster

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. WAYNE ◽  
J. B. HACKETT ◽  
C. L. DILDA ◽  
S. V. NUZHDIN ◽  
E. G. PASYUKOVA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Quantitative Trait ◽  
Recombinant Inbred Lines ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Mapping Procedure ◽  
Ovariole Number ◽  
Early Fecundity

We examined the genetic architecture of four fitness-related traits (reproductive success, ovariole number, body size and early fecundity) in a panel of 98 Oregon-R × 2b3 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Highly significant genetic variation was observed in this population for female, but not male, reproductive success. The cross-sex genetic correlation for reproductive success was 0·20, which is not significantly different from zero. There was significant genetic variation segregating in this cross for ovariole number, but not for body size or early fecundity. The RILs were genotyped for cytological insertion sites of roo transposable elements, yielding 76 informative markers with an average spacing of 3·2 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting female reproductive success and ovariole number were mapped using a composite interval mapping procedure. QTL for female reproductive success were located at the tip of the X chromosome between markers at cytological locations 1B and 3E; and on the left arm of chromosome 2 in the 30D–38A cytological region. Ovariole number QTL mapped to cytological intervals 62D–69D and 98A–98E, both on the third chromosome. The regions harbouring QTL for female reproductive success and ovariole number were also identified as QTL for longevity in previous studies with these lines.

Genetic variation within and relatedness among wood and plains bison populations

Genome ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Wilson ◽  
C Strobeck
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Dna Microsatellites ◽  
Island State ◽  
Wood Bison ◽  
Wood Buffalo National Park

There are two recognized subspecies of bison, wood (Bison bison athabascae) and plains (Bison bison bison) bison. The establishment of most bison populations from a small number of individuals has raised concerns about their genetic variation. To this end, 11 bison populations were surveyed with 11 microsatellite loci in order to calculate genetic variation and genetic distances. Mean number of alleles ranged between 3.18 at Antelope Island State Park (Utah) and 6.55 at Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta and Northwest Territories). Mean heterozygosity ranged from 0.295 at Antelope Island State Park to 0.669 at Custer State Park (South Dakota). The amount of genetic variability present in the bison populations as measured by mean number of alleles and overall probability of identity was found to correlate with the number of founders for all sampled populations. The G-test for heterogeneity revealed some evidence for the existence of subpopulations at Wood Buffalo National Park, however very small genetic distances between these subpopulations suggest that nuclear material from the plains bison introduced into Wood Buffalo National Park has diffused throughout the park. Genetic distances between the sampled populations were generally larger between than within the two bison subspecies.Key words: Bison bison bison, Bison bison athabascae, DNA microsatellites, genetic variation, genetic relatedness.

scholarly journals Postweaning maternal care increases male chimpanzee reproductive success

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (38) ◽  
pp. eaaz5746
Author(s):  
Catherine Crockford ◽  
Liran Samuni ◽  
Linda Vigilant ◽  
Roman M. Wittig
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Parental Loss ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Complex Societies ◽  
Successful Reproduction ◽  
Using Data

Humans are unusual among animals for continuing to provision and care for their offspring until adulthood. This “prolonged dependency” is considered key for the evolution of other notable human traits, such as large brains, complex societies, and extended postreproductive lifespans. Prolonged dependency must therefore have evolved under conditions in which reproductive success is gained with parental investment and diminished with early parental loss. We tested this idea using data from wild chimpanzees, which have similarly extended immature years as humans and prolonged mother-offspring associations. Males who lost their mothers after weaning but before maturity began reproducing later and had lower average reproductive success. Thus, persistent mother-immature son associations seem vital for enhancing male reproductive success, although mothers barely provision sons after weaning. We posit that these associations lead to social gains, crucial for successful reproduction in complex social societies, and offer insights into the evolution of prolonged dependency.

Significance of wounding to female reproductive success in Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) at Laysan Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Hiruki ◽  
Ian Stirling ◽  
William G. Gilmartin ◽  
Thea C. Johanos ◽  
Brenda L. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Monachus Schauinslandi ◽  
Lower Survival Rate ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Pup Survival ◽  
Monk Seals

We studied reproductive rate, length of lactation period, pup survival, and mortality of injured and uninjured female Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) on Laysan Island, northwestern Hawaiian Islands, in 1983 – 1989. The severity and timing of nonfatal injuries were influential in determining their effect on female reproductive success. There was a tendency towards a shorter mean lactation period and lower survival rate of pups for females with major injuries than for uninjured females. Females with minor injuries were similar to uninjured females in terms of reproductive rate, length of lactation, and pup survival. For females injured shortly before the birth of their pup or during lactation, pup survival was lower than for uninjured females, whereas for females injured during the year prior to pupping, measures of reproductive success were not significantly different from those for uninjured females. Immature (aged 4 – 8 years) females entering the reproductive population were injured by adult male seals significantly more often than females aged 0 – 3 years, but at a similar rate to adult females. The major effect of injuries on female reproductive success is an increase in female mortality: 87.5 % of the adult females (n = 16) that died on Laysan Island in 1983 – 1989 sustained injuries from adult male seals.

Female reproductive success in a species with an age-inversed hierarchy

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien DE VRIES ◽  
Andreas KOENIG ◽  
Carola BORRIES
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Female Reproductive Success

POLYGYNY, REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AND CHILD HEALTH IN RURAL ETHIOPIA: WHY MARRY A MARRIED MAN?

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
MHAIRI A. GIBSON ◽  
RUTH MACE
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Family Status ◽  
Rural Ethiopia ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Married Individuals ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Child Nutritional Status ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Better Than

Summary.This study examines the reproductive success of men and women in rural Ethiopia as a function of their marital status, specifically by comparing polygamously and monogamously married individuals. In line with predictions from evolutionary theory, polygamy is beneficial to male reproductive success (i.e. producing larger numbers of surviving offspring). The success of polygamously married females depends on wife rank: the first wives of polygamous husbands do better than monogamously married women and much better than second or third wives. These effects are mirrored in child nutritional status: the children of second and third wives have lower weight for height. Due to potential, largely unmeasurable differences in marriageability (quality) between individuals, it was not possible to support a model of either resource-holding polygyny combined with female choice or female coercion into unwanted marriages. First wives of polygamously married men marry at a younger age and attract a higher brideprice, suggesting that both the males and females in the marriage are likely to be of higher quality (due to wealth, family status or some other factor such as beauty). Unions that end up monogamous are likely to be between slightly lower quality individuals; and second and third wives, who marry at the oldest ages and attract the lowest brideprice, may be ‘making the best of a bad job’. The relatively long gap between first and second marriages may mean that first wives of highly marriageable males can enjoy considerable reproductive success before their husbands marry again.

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