VIRGIN-MALE MATING ADVANTAGE IN SAGEBRUSH CRICKETS: DIFFERENTIAL MALE COMPETITIVENESS OR NON-INDEPENDENT FEMALE MATE CHOICE?

Behaviour ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 136 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 1335-1346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracie Ivy ◽  
Scott Sakaluk
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Hind Wing ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Mating Advantage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans

AbstractFemale sagebrush crickets (Cyphoderris strepitans) feed on males' fleshy hind wings during copulation and ingest haemolymph oozing from the wounds they inflict. The wounds are not fatal and usually only a portion of the hind wings are eaten at any one mating, so that mated males are not precluded from mating again. However, based on their relative abundance in the population, virgin males have a higher mating success than non-virgin males. One explanation for this virgin-male mating advantage is that non-virgin males, having been depleted of their energy reserves through the wing-feeding behaviour of their mates, are unable to sustain the same level of acoustic signalling they produce prior to copulation. Previous assays of male signalling behaviour have provided some support to this hypothesis. However, an alternative explanation is that females actively seek out virgin males as mates because of the greater material resources they offer. If the acoustic structure of males' signals were systematically altered by the loss of hind-wing material underlying the sound-producing tegmina, females could potentially discriminate against mated males through reduced phonotaxis to their calls. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally removing one hind wing from virgin males, thereby simulating the non-virgin condition without the attendant costs of copulation. We compared the mating success of these 'asymmetrical' males with that of sham-operated virgin males when competing under natural conditions. In a companion laboratory study, we used time-lapse video recording to examine the possibility that female preferences are exerted only after pair formation has occurred. There was no significant difference in male mating success across treatments in either study. We conclude, therefore, that the virgin-male mating advantage does not stem from an acoustically mediated, non-independent female mating preference, but rather, from the differential competitiveness of males.

scholarly journals Sexual Selection of Male Song in Free-Living Sagebrush Crickets, Cyphoderris Strepitans

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 125-130
Author(s):  
Geoff Ower ◽  
Sandra Steiger ◽  
Kyle Caron ◽  
Scott Sakaluk
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Dominant Frequency ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Mating Advantage ◽  
Train Duration ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Field Season ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans ◽  
Long Pulse

Measures of lifetime mating success in the sagebrush cricket, Cyphoderris strepitans, have revealed that most males succeed in obtaining only 1 mating, while many males fail to attract a female at all and a small minority mate 2 to 4 times. Relative to their abundance in the population, virgin males have a greater likelihood of obtaining a mating than non-virgin males have of securing additional matings, a phenomenon known as the virgin male mating advantage. Previous studies of sagebrush crickets have focused primarily on determining the proximate mechanisms responsible for the virgin male mating advantage, but little work has been done to identify the factors that influence male attractiveness in the first place. Because song plays a central role in mate attraction, it’s likely that variability in song parameters among males could account for the observed differences in mating success. Song is an energetically costly signal to produce and could serve as an honest indicator of male quality. Consequently, males that are able to invest greater amounts of energy into singing should be more attractive to females. In a previous field season, we recorded and analyzed the songs of virgin and non-virgin males and indeed found some evidence that females prefer males which invest greater energy into calling. In the present study, we synthesized artificial sagebrush cricket songs and directly measured female song preference with an arena playback experiment. Females were shown to consistently prefer song characteristics that would require greater energy expenditure by males. Males that sing with long pulse duration, long train duration, and at an intermediate dominant frequency were found to be highly attractive to females.

scholarly journals Time-Laspe Video Study of Mating Behavior in Sagebrush Crickets (Cyphoderris strepitans)

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Scott Sakaluk ◽  
W. Snedden
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Male Mating Success ◽  
Video Study ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans

Sagebrush crickets (Cyphoderris strepitans) are primitive acoustic insects which occur only in mountainous areas of Wyoming and Colorado (Morris and Gwynne 1978). In Grand Teton National Park, adults become sexually active in early May and matings subsequently occur over a 3 - 6 week period. Each night of the breeding season, males emerge from the soil litter shortly after sunset, climb into the sagebrush and begin to sing, presumably to attract sexually receptive females. Copulation is initiated when a receptive female climbs onto the dorsum of a male, at which time he attempts to transfer a spermatophore (Dodson et al. 1983, Sakaluk et al. 1987, Morris et al. 1989). During the time that the female is mounted on the male, she feeds on the male's metathoracic wings and ingests any hemolymph oozing from the wounds she inflicts. To deter the female from dismounting before the spermatophore has been transferred, males are equipped with an abdominal pinching organ which functions to secure the female during copulation (Morris 1979, Dodson et al. 1983). Once the spermatophore has disengagement. The bulk of the spermatophore remains attached outside the female's body, who invariably consumes it several hours after mating (present study). A previous field study involving the mark-recapture of a large number of males showed that once a male had mated, his probability of obtaining additional copulations was significantly reduced (Morris et al. 1986). One explanation for this result is that non-virgin males, having lost a substantial portion of available energy reserves at mating, may be unable to sustain calling at pre-mating levels. In support of this hypothesis, electronic assays of male signaling behavior (see Kidder and Sakaluk, in press) have shown that virgin male C. strepitans call for significantly longer durations than recently mated males (Sakaluk et al.1987, Sakaluk and Snedden 1990). Although virgin males call more and have significantly higher mating success than non-virgins, this does not necessarily prove that calling duration and mating success are causally related. In the past, we have experienced two difficulties in establishing a causal basis to this correlation: 1) matings are rarely observed in the field, and we have of necessity relied on wing wounding as an indicator of male mating success (Morris et al. 1989) and 2) we have been unable to demonstrate phonotaxis of females to conspecific song as broadcast either through speakers placed in the field (Sakaluk and Snedden, unpubl. data) or in the laboratory (Morris et al. 1989). To at least partially circumvent these difficulties, we employed time-lapse video photography of mating interactions staged at the UW-NPS Research Station during the 1989 breeding season. The objective of these studies was to determine how mating status, calling time and body size contribute to male mating success, either through their effect on male competitive ability and/or their effect on male attractiveness to females.

scholarly journals Virgins are Louder: The Effect of Mating on Acoustic Signaling in Sagebrush Crickets

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
W. Snedden ◽  
Michael Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
Hind Wing ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Signal Amplitude ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Acoustic Signaling ◽  
Signal Characteristics ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans

Female sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans, feed on the male's hind wings during copulation. Because removal of hind wing material during mating may alter male acoustic signal characteristics and account for a virgin male mating advantage (Morris et al. 1989; Snedden, in press) we recorded virgin and mated males in the field, and virgins before and after surgical excision of a portion of the hind wings. We found no significant differences in signal spectral characteristics or pulse rate between virgin and mated males following hind­wing excision. However, the signal amplitude of laboratory recorded virgins was greater than that of mated males, and song amplitude was reduced in manipulated males. In contrast, signal amplitude was lower in field recorded virgins than mated males.

scholarly journals Virgin Male Mating Advantage in Sagebrush Crickets: No Role for an Acoustically-Mediated Female Preference

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 60-63
Author(s):  
Scott Sakaluk ◽  
Pamela Brady ◽  
Tracie Ivy ◽  
Marion Sakaluk ◽  
Jennifer Schaus
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Bodily Fluids ◽  
Mating Advantage ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans ◽  
Number Of Males

The sagebrush cricket, Cyphoderris strepitans, is one of only five extant species belonging to an obscure orthopteran lineage, the Haglidae, closely related to the true crickets (Gryllidae) and katydids (Tettigoniidae) (Morris & Gwynne 1978). C. strepitans occurs exclusively in mountainous areas of the western United States, where it is found primarily in high-altitude sagebrush meadow habitat. Adults become sexually active in late spring, shortly after snow melt, and remain active for the following 4-6 weeks. The acoustic signals produced by males function to attract females (Snedden & Irazuzta 1994), thereby enhancing male mating opportunities (Snedden & Sakaluk 1992). Copulation is initiated when a receptive female climbs onto the dorsum of a male, at which time he attempts to transfer a spermatophore. During copulation, the female feeds on the male's fleshy hind wings and bodily fluids leaking from the wounds she inflicts. Previous field studies involving the mark­recapture of a large number of males have shown that once a male has mated, his probability of obtaining an additional copulation is reduced relative to that of a virgin male securing his first mating (Morris et al. 1989). One explanation for the virgin-male mating advantage is that non-virgin males, having lost a substantial portion of their energy reserves through sexual cannibalism by females and the transfer of a large spermatophore, may be unable to sustain the costly acoustical signaling activity required to attract additional females. In support of the "male fatigue" hypothesis, electronic assays of male signaling behavior have shown that virgin male C. strepitans call for significantly longer durations than recently mated males (Sakaluk et al. 1987; Sakaluk & Snedden 1990).

scholarly journals Male Hemolymph Loss During Nuptial Feeding as a Proximate Mechanisim Underlying the Virgin-Male Mating Advantage in Sagebrush Crickets

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 45-50
Author(s):  
Scott Sakaluk ◽  
Mark Campbell ◽  
Peter Keorpes ◽  
Andrew Clark
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Substantial Portion ◽  
Mating Advantage ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans ◽  
Two Alternatives ◽  
Signaling Activity ◽  
Spermatophore Production

Male sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans, offer an unusual nuptial food gift to females during mating: females chew on the ends of the males' fleshy hind wings and ingest hemolymph seeping from the wounds they inflict. Previous studies have shown that once a male had mated, his probability of obtaining an additional copulation is reduced relative to that of a virgin male seeking to secure his first mating, a pattern known as the virgin­male mating advantage. One hypothesis to account for the virgin-male mating advantage is that non­virgin males, having lost a substantial portion of their energy reserves at mating, may be unable to sustain the costly acoustical signaling activity required for the passive attraction of additional females. If the future mating prospects of non-virgin males are diminished because of sexual fatigue, this could stem either from the resources required to manufacture a new spermatophore or through the energy needed to replenish haemolymph lost through female wing­feeding. To distinguish between these two alternatives, we experimentally depleted virgin males of varying amounts haemolymph (0, 5 and 10 ul) in a way that mimicked hemolymph loss of non-virgin males, without the attendant costs of spermatophore production. After they had been treated, males were released in the field and recaptured over the course of the breeding season to monitor their mating success. Control males mated significantly sooner than did males depleted of 5 or 10 ul of hemolymph. We conclude, therefore, that the depletion of hemolymph that occurs through female wing feeding is sufficient by itself to diminish a non-virgin male's ability to secure another mating, acting as a brake on the operation of sexual selection in this species.

scholarly journals Immuniological Costs of Mating to Male Sagebrush Crickets

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 114-118
Author(s):  
Joseph Leman ◽  
Carie Weddle ◽  
Geoff Ower ◽  
Scott Sakulak
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Mating Effort ◽  
Immune Challenge ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Virgin Male ◽  
Immune Pathways ◽  
Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides ◽  
Cyphoderris Strepitans

Male sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans, offer an unusual nuptial food gift to females during mating: females chew on the ends of the males' fleshy hind wings and ingest hemolymph seeping from the wounds they inflict. Previous research has shown that once a male has mated, his probability of obtaining an additional copulation is reduced relative to that of a virgin male seeking to secure his first mating, a pattern known as the virgin-male mating advantage. One hypothesis that may explain this phenomenon is that mated males experience an energetically costly immune response via their wounds and therefore may be unable to sustain the costly acoustical signaling needed to attract additional females. To distinguish between the effects of mounting a costly immune response and the costs of producing a spermatophore, we mimicked a non­virgin mating status by injecting virgin males with bacterial lipopolysaccharides, a non-living elicitor of several immune pathways. After they had been treated, males were released in the field and recaptured over the course of the breeding season to monitor their mating success. Contrary to our prediction, LPS injected males did not take longer to secure matings than sham-injected virgin males. However, a companion study revealed that immunochallenged virgin males spent significantly less time calling (as assayed using time-lapse video photography) than sham­control virgin males. This confirms work in other cricket species showing a decline in mating effort following an immune challenge.

Male Courtship Displays, Ornaments and Female Mate Choice in Captive Red Jungle Fowl

Behaviour ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 821-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torgeir S. Johnsen ◽  
Stacey L. Popma ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Female Mate ◽  
Red Jungle Fowl ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Spur Length

AbstractWe studied the role of male courtship behaviour in female mate choice in red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), the ancestor of domestic chickens. The traits most highly correlated with behavioural displays were those most relied upon by females in making mate choice decisions. These traits (comb length, comb colour, eye colour, and spur length) are highly condition-dependent in jungle fowl. Females chose males that displayed at a greater overall intensity in the period after the female was allowed to interact with the males (post-release), but were indifferent to displays during the period before the female could approach the roosters (pre-release). After accounting for the effect of morphology on mate choice, waltzes were the only display that explained a significant amount of variation in male mating success. Chosen and rejected males had different display rates even when the female was not present. Plasma testosterone level was correlated with pre-release behaviours, but not with post-release behaviours or mating success.

scholarly journals A TEST FOR RARE MALE MATING ADVANTAGE WITH DROSOPHILA PSEUDOOBSCURA KARYOTYPES

Genetics ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-589
Author(s):  
Wyatt W Anderson ◽  
Celeste J Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Drosophila Pseudoobscura ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Mating Advantage ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Laboratory Populations ◽  
Statistical Artifact

ABSTRACT Recent work has called into question the reality of the rare male mating advantage, pointing out that it could be a statistical artifact of marking flies for behavioral observation or of experimental bias in collecting males. We designed an experiment to test for rare male mating advantage that avoids these sources of bias. Large numbers of males of three Drosophila pseudoobscura karyotypes were allowed to mate with females of one karyotype in population cages. The females were then isolated before multiple mating occurred and their progeny used to diagnose the males that mated them. Populations were studied at five sets of male karyotypic frequencies. The mating success of the male homokaryotypes ST/ST and CH/CH, relative to that of the heterokaryotype ST/CH, was frequency dependent. Both ST/ST and CH/CH males displayed a statistically significant mating advantage at low frequency by comparision with their mating success in the midrange of karyotypic frequencies. Both male homokaryotypes also showed a significantly greater mating success at high homokaryotypic frequency than at intermediate frequencies, which is the same as saying that the heterokaryotype not only failed to show a rare male advantage but actually suffered a mating disadvantage at low frequency. We conclude that rare male mating advantage is not always an experimental or methodological artifact but does occur in laboratory populations of D. pseudoobscura. It may occur for some genotypes and not for others, however, and it may be only one of several forms of frequency-dependent mating behavior operating in a population.

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