Evolution of sperm quality but not quantity in the internally fertilized fish Xiphophorus nigrensis

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
C C Smith, Michael J Ryan

Abstract

Species with alternative reproductive strategies are characterized by discrete differences among males in suites of traits related to competition for fertilizations. Models predict sneaker males should allocate more resources to their ejaculates because they experience sperm competition more frequently and often occupy a disfavoured 'role' owing to subordinance in intramale competition and female preferences for larger males. We examined whether sperm number and quality differed between male strategies in the internally fertilized fish Xiphophorus nigrensis and explored the relationship between sperm morphology and performance. We found sneaker males had similar testes sizes compared to courting males but ejaculates with both more viable and longer lived sperm. Sneaker sperm also had longer midpieces, which was positively correlated with both velocity and longevity. Our study suggests that the evolution of sperm quantity and quality can be decoupled and that the sperm morphology is likely to play an important role in mediating sperm competition through its effects on sperm performance.

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Citations

Apr 22, 2011·Biology Letters·Chad C Smith, Michael J Ryan
Dec 16, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Eran M Shifferman
Jan 10, 2017·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Amy K HooperRussell Bonduriansky
Dec 29, 2018·Journal of Morphology·Casey A GilmanDuncan J Irschick
May 29, 2018·Science Advances·Michael TaborskyG Sander van Doorn
Jun 4, 2020·Fish Physiology and Biochemistry·W A González-LópezJ Beirão
Oct 20, 2020·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Matthew C Kustra, Suzanne H Alonzo
Oct 20, 2020·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·John L Fitzpatrick

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