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.

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.

More sires may enhance offspring fitness in Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica)

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Banger ◽  
Gabriel Blouin-Demers ◽  
Grégory Bulté ◽  
Stephen C. Lougheed
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Locomotor Performance ◽  
Conservative Estimate ◽  
Genetic Quality ◽  
Offspring Fitness ◽  
Sexual Selection Theory ◽  
Map Turtles ◽  
Graptemys Geographica

Sexual selection theory predicts that males should be promiscuous to maximize their reproductive success, while females should be choosy. Yet females of many taxa often produce progeny sired by multiple males, indicating that promiscuity can be important for the reproductive success of females. Promiscuity may enhance the fitness of females if it increases the genetic quality, or the genetic variety, and thus the viability of their offspring. We quantified the number of sires per clutch in a population of Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica (LeSueur, 1817)) in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, Canada, and tested whether the number of sires affects several metrics of viability in hatchlings. Based on the most conservative estimate, at least 71% of clutches in this population are sired by multiple males, but there was no evidence that larger clutches are sired by more males. Clutches sired by more males had higher hatching success and survival, but the differences were not statistically significant. We did not find any effect of the number of sires on hatchling morphology or locomotor performance. Collectively, our results partially support the hypothesis that promiscuity can increase the reproductive success of female Northern Map Turtles.

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.

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.

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