Mating behavior and acoustic communication of the long-legged cricket Endecous (Notendecous) onthophagus (Berg, 1891) from Southern Brazil (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae)

The courtship, copulation and post-copulatory behavior, as well as acoustic communication of the Neotropical cricket Endecous (Notendecous) onthophagus is described under laboratory conditions and compared with other phalangopsids whose mating system was studied so far. We found that E. onthophagus present predictable mating sequences including seven events: (1) prolonged courtship; (2) male spermatophore extrusion during courtship; (3) female-above copulatory position; (4) prolonged copulation; (5) male forewings flipped over his head, exposing metanotal region along copulation; (6) copulation without spermatophore transfer; and (7) absence of guarding behavior. We suggest these events (1 to 7) as a behavioral line shared by phalangopsids, and we highlight variations that reflect the behavioral diversity of these crickets. The males of E. onthophagus produce the calling song (chirps) to attract females to mate, and also stridulates intermittently during the entire courtship period with distinct acoustic parameters during the stages of pre- and post-spermatophore extrusion.

Two new species of marine flatworm from southern China facilitate determination of the phylogenetic position of the genus Nerpa Marcus, 1948 and the histochemical structure of the nervous system in the genus Paucumara Sluys, 1989 (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Maricola)

Two new species of flatworm, collected from a beach at eastern Shenzhen, China, were studied through an integrative approach by combining morphological, histological, histochemical (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), and molecular (18S r- DNA) data. These species belong to two genera of marine triclads, previously unrecorded from China, viz. Nerpa Marcus, 1948 and Paucumara Sluys, 1989. Nerpa fistulata Wang & Chen, sp. nov. is characterized by: transparent body; principally pentamerous intestine with three distinct commissures; two very large, prepharyngeal testis follicles; a semi-circular lens in each eye cup; a penis papilla provided with a chitinized, pointed stylet; lateral bursae communicating with the oviduct and opening ventrally to the exterior via a duct. Phylogenetically N. fistulata groups with one member of the family Bdellouridae. This new, Chinese species of Nerpa introduces a major geographic disjunction, as the type species N. evelinae was described from the bay of Santos, Brazil, so that the genus is now known from both Atlantic as well as Pacific coasts. The species Paucumara falcata Wang & Li, sp. nov. is characterized by: three distinct pale yellow transverse pigmentation bands on its dorsal side, between which some snowflake-like specks are randomly distributed, and a brown transverse band anteriorly to the eyes; 8–11 testicular follicles on either side of the body, the follicles extending from immediately behind the ovaries to half-way along the pharyngeal pocket; a musculo-parenchymatic organ with a sclerotic, curved tip projecting from the anterior wall of the male atrium, ventrally to the root of the penis papilla. Phylogenetically P. falcata groups with its congener P. trigonocephala, with the genus Paucumara forming the sister taxon of the genus Ectoplana. Comparison of the nerve structure of P. falcata, as revealed by AChE histochemistry, with that of eight other species of triclad suggested that the nervous system of marine planarians is simpler than that of species of freshwater planarians, but revealed also that the nerve structure is rather variable among species. The copulatory position exhibited by two partners in Paucumara falcata is remarkable in that they intertwine, with their heads pointing downwards and the tails pointing upwards, the entire process lasting about 10 min. Such a copulatory position has never before been reported for triclad flatworms.

Evasive behaviours of female dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) during exploitative scramble competition

When males engage in scramble competition, are females non-evasive recipients of male coercion or evasive? Small groups of male dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) engage in exploitative (non-interference) scramble competition for access to oestrous females near Kaikoura, New Zealand. We conducted behavioural sequence analyses of videos of 48 mating groups with continuous records and focal individual follows of females. We determined (1) the frequency and type of behaviours (non-evasive vs. evasive), (2) the variation in simple transition probabilities of behaviours leading to a copulatory position associated with female resistance and non-resistance and (3) the variation in female responses to male behaviours throughout focal follows. Females exhibited frequent active evasive manoeuvers following male behaviours. Copulation sequences were highly variable and most complex when terminated by females. Females altered responses to male signals, one aspect of mate choice potentially favouring male endurance.

159 COMPARISON BETWEEN EQUINE CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN AND PORCINE FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE FOR IN VIVO PRODUCTION OF EMBRYOS IN ALPACAS (VICUGNA PACOS) SHOWING NATURAL LUTEAL PHASE AFTER INDUCTION OF OVULATION

Alpacas are animals with induced ovulation, andthey show high individual variation in the symptoms, duration, and regularity of oestrus or period of female receptivity to males; their follicular phase does not end in ovulation and subsequent luteal phase unless an external stimulation such as copulation or exogenous application of an ovulation inducing hormone is applied. The objective of the present study was to compare the use of eCG v. porcine (p)FSH as superovulatory hormones for the in vivo production of embryos in alpacas that were selected as being receptive to the male and were treated with an ovulation-inducing hormone to generate a luteal phase. Twenty adult (3 to 5 years old) female alpacas, located at Mallkini, Puno, Peru (at 4100 m elevation), were used for the trial. A group of females was exposed to males to test for breeding receptivity; 20 alpacas were receptive, adopting copulatory position. Each of the selected females received 3.75 mg of LH IM (Lutropin®, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada). Day 0 was then considered the date of LH injection. The 20 alpacas were then distributed into 2 treatments: Treatment 1 (T1 = 10 alpacas) received on Day 2, 1000 IU of eCG IM (Pregnecol®, Bioniche Animal Health) and on Day 7, a dose of PGF2α IM (0.263 mg of cloprostenol; Ciclar®, Andeanvet-Zoovet, Lima, Peru). Treatment 2 alpacas (T2 = 10 alpacas) received from Day 2 and up to Day 5, at 12-h interval, decreasing doses of pFSH IM (100 mg; Folltropin V®, Bioniche Animal Health) for 4 days, and on Day 7, a dose of PGF2α IM (0.263 mg of cloprostenol; Ciclar®, Andeanvet-Zoovet). All alpacas from T1 and T2 were mated twice with fertile males, the first mating at 24 h after the injection of PGF2α and the second at 12 h after the first mating. All females received a dose of GnRH IM (0.0084 mg of buserelin; Buserelina®, Andeanvet-Zoovet) at time of first mating. The embryos in both treatments were collected 6.5 days after the first mating by nonsurgical transcervical embryo flushing. There were no significant differences in the mean number of blastocysts collected per treatment (P > 0.05), being 3.0 ± 2.87 blastocyst for T1 and 1.6 ± 2.67 for T2. The number of blastocysts per treatment was 30 and 16 for T1 and T2, respectively. The results show that superovulatory treatment with eCG is more effective for the production of viable blastocysts than treatment with pFSH in alpacas treated for superovulation during the luteal phase. This work was partially funded by Bioniche Animal Health.

Evaluating molecular and behavioural sexing methods for the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator)

The availability of molecular methods for avian sex identification has revolutionised the study of sexual differences in behaviour, morphology, life-history traits and conservation management. We implemented the recommendations of a recent review of DNA-based sex-identification by (1) verifying the sex-specificity and (2) estimating the accuracy of different sex-assignment methods in an apparently monomorphic seabird, the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on the amplification of the sex-linked chromodomain-helicase-DNA binding gene (CHD) repeatedly assigned the same sex in 96% (n = 27 replicates) and correctly sexed all individuals with known gonadal anatomy (n = 6). PCR and sex-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs) showed agreement for 99.5% of individuals (n = 201). DNA-sexed pairs known to be social mates consisted of a male and a female in 96% of pairs sexed by PCR (n = 77) and 98% of pairs sexed by RFLP (n = 65). DNA-sexed females were in the bottom and males in the top copulatory position in 86% of observed copulations (n = 43 individuals). These results validate assumptions that both membership in social pairs and different copulatory positions can serve as reliable behavioural proxies for field-based sex identification in this colonial and obligately biparental seabird.

The Interaction of External and Internal Factors in the Courtship of Parasitic Wasps (Hym., Pteromalidae)

Our topic of interest is the causal organization of courtship and mating behaviour of parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae), more especially that of Nasonia vitripennis. Males pursue newly emerged females over a short distance, mount on top, and take up a position at the front, the fore tarsi placed on the female's head. Courtship displays consist of characteristic combinations of motor patterns, which are repeated a variable number of times in so-called courtship cycles. Movements with the wings, head, mouthparts, and antennae are conspicuous components. This applies in particular to head-nodding movements, which occur in series. A female may become sexually receptive while being courted; she signals the onset of this condition with a movement of her antennae. The male will react promptly: he stops courting and backs up into the copulatory position. The signal coincides almost invariably with the first nod of a series; signalling at other times led to a postponement of the backing-up reaction. Because Nasonia males readily court on dummy females, we used a dummy with moveable antennae to investigate the temporal relationship of signal and reaction. We observed two types of postponed backing-up reactions: simple backing up, and backing up after performance of one or more display movements. At the same time, we found a quantitative relationship between durations of the latencies, and the timing of the signal relative to the display. Our investigations produced evidence for endogenous, periodic changes, which take place during the succession of courtship cyles. The postponed backing-up reactions of different types could be explained in terms of interactions between the effects of signalling and the endogenous dynamics of courting males.

Analyse expérimentale de l'isolement reproductif entre deux espèces jumelles et sympatriques d'araignées : le Lycosa thorelli (Keyserling) et le Lycosa carbonelli Costa et Capocasale

Four experimental groups were used: (A) males Lycosa thorelli × female L. thorelli; (B) male Lycosa carbonelli × female L. carbonelli; (C) Male L. thorelli × female L. carbonelli; (D) male L. carbonelli × female L. thorelli. Males were placed in a field with conspecific sexual pheromone and confronted to anesthetized virgin females. Male L. thorelli showed a greater tenacity than male L. carbonelli in the maintenance of the copulatory position. The typical copulation pattern (intraspecific groups) became atypical in interspecific groups. Only one typical interspecific copulation was observed in group C. Male L. carbonelli showed a good specific discrimination when mounting the female, while male L. thorelli showed a low discrimination level. The maintenance of the copulatory position could be determined by a modal number of ejaculations in the case of male L. carbonelli and by a modal duration in the case of male L. thorelli. Atypical copulations might indicate a mechanical incompatibility between the genitalia of the two species. Typical copulations produced offspring, indicating the absence of postcopulatory isolation mechanisms.

Determinants of Male Mating Success in the Temperate Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus: Chela Size and Sperm Competition

The large chelipeds of male Orconectes rusticus have an adaptive function related to inter-male competition for mates. Large clawed males dominate over smaller clawed, but otherwise physically similar, competitors. Additionally, males with large chela are better able to secure, and more quickly orient, females into the copulatory position. Large clawed males also copulate for longer periods than smaller clawed competitors. The significance of copulation duration is unclear, but is likely related to mate guarding. Sexual selection for increased cheliped size in 0. rusticus has been more intense on males than females. Sperm of the second male to inseminate a dually mated female takes precedence over that of the previous male. The paternity attributable to the second male was determined as approximately 92 % .

The biology of species of Serolis (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera): reproductive behavior of Serolis polaris Richardson, 1911

An account based on observations of the reproductive behavior of Serolis polaris is presented. Correlative additional information obtained from the examination of a large number of preserved specimens is discussed. Both the pre-copulatory behavior, and the copulatory position are described. Pre-adult females show sexual escape behavior. The pair of pereopods II are the only clasping appendages utilized in copulation. They are especially morphologically structured to perform this function. Marks, cuts and sores may be produced on the females by the rubbing movements of the clasping pereopods. Experiments show that when mature, males and females do not ingest food. A full discussion of all these behavioral aspects connected with reproduction is provided.