Mating Biology | ScienceGate

Mating tests were performed to analyze the genetic relationship between two intersterile sibling species in Peniophora cinerea (Fr.) Cooke in Europe. Two newly collected specimens from North Europe were found to be compatible with both sibling species, which strongly suggests a close genetic relationship and a sterility barrier of simple genetic origin. The two sibling species, which differ in their substrate selectivity, are accepted as subspecies. One subspecies is restricted to decorticated wood of Fagus, and occasionally the fruit bodies are associated with insect galls. Intersterility was also found in some combinations with two other specimens from Canada and Turkey, but no linkage was found with a particular substrate. Specimens from Taiwan were found to be partially compatible with specimens from Europe, Turkey, and Canada. Distinct differences between the subspecies were found in banding patterns from isoelectric focusing of buffer-soluble mycelial proteins. It is proposed that the kind of intersterility found here is intraspecific and should be looked upon as part of a propagation strategy. Key words: speciation, evolution, Basidiomycetes, isoelectric focusing, insect gall, mating test.

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Inclusive Fitness of Male and Facultatively Social Female Nesting Behavior in the Socially Polymorphic Bee, Ceratina australensis (Hymenoptera: Xylocopinae)

Annals of the Entomological Society of America ◽

10.1093/aesa/saaa022 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Robert L Oppenheimer ◽

Sandra M Rehan

Keyword(s):

Inclusive Fitness ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Relative Fitness ◽

Natal Nest ◽

Carpenter Bee ◽

Nesting Sites ◽

Indirect Fitness ◽

Reproductive Females ◽

Mating Biology

Abstract Male hymenopterans do not typically provide help with nest construction or maintenance. This is thought to be due to the decreased relatedness of males to their siblings compared to sisters, and selection for outbreeding resulting in male dispersal from natal nesting sites. However, some instances of male ‘helping’ behaviors have been observed and can usually be explained by increased access to mating with resident females. Here we report on the first observations of cohabiting males within the nests of reproductive females of the facultatively social small carpenter bee, Ceratina australensis. Social nesting in C. australensis occurs at a consistently low rate across populations. We used microsatellites markers to determine relatedness, combined with 3 yr of nest demographic data collected across three populations, to assess the relative fitness of reproductive, nonreproductive, and male individuals cohabiting in reproductive nests. We found that males were brothers of reproductive females, both remaining in their natal nest. However, there was no evidence that they were mating with their sisters across all nests observed. Males in reproductive nests did not gain any direct or indirect fitness benefits as they did not sire any brood and their presence did not increase brood productivity or survivorship. It is possible that males were waiting to mate with nieces who had not yet emerged. Why males were tolerated remains unknown. Mating biology is an important consideration in social theory which requires additional empirical studies. Future long-term studies are needed to capture unusual social behaviors including male nesting behaviors.

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Population structure and mating biology of the polygynous ponerine antGnamptogenys striatulain Brazil

Molecular Ecology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01085.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1835-1841 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

T. Giraud ◽

R. Blatrix ◽

C. Poteaux ◽

M. Solignac ◽

P. Jaisson

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Mating Biology

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Subtle variation in phosphorus availability influences mating biology inHyalella(Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) amphipods

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1111/bij.12253 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 111 (4) ◽

pp. 878-888 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jared M. Goos ◽

Rickey D. Cothran ◽

Punidan D. Jeyasingh

Keyword(s):

Phosphorus Availability ◽

Mating Biology

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Insights into how development and life-history dynamics shape the evolution of venom

EvoDevo ◽

10.1186/s13227-020-00171-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joachim M. Surm ◽

Yehu Moran

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Life Stage ◽

Complex Trait ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Complex Life Cycles ◽

Toxic Compounds ◽

Evolution And Development ◽

Ecological Implications ◽

Mating Biology

AbstractVenomous animals are a striking example of the convergent evolution of a complex trait. These animals have independently evolved an apparatus that synthesizes, stores, and secretes a mixture of toxic compounds to the target animal through the infliction of a wound. Among these distantly related animals, some can modulate and compartmentalize functionally distinct venoms related to predation and defense. A process to separate distinct venoms can occur within and across complex life cycles as well as more streamlined ontogenies, depending on their life-history requirements. Moreover, the morphological and cellular complexity of the venom apparatus likely facilitates the functional diversity of venom deployed within a given life stage. Intersexual variation of venoms has also evolved further contributing to the massive diversity of toxic compounds characterized in these animals. These changes in the biochemical phenotype of venom can directly affect the fitness of these animals, having important implications in their diet, behavior, and mating biology. In this review, we explore the current literature that is unraveling the temporal dynamics of the venom system that are required by these animals to meet their ecological functions. These recent findings have important consequences in understanding the evolution and development of a convergent complex trait and its organismal and ecological implications.

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