Extreme costs of mating for male two-spot ladybird beetles

PloS One
Jennifer C Perry, Crystal T Tse

Abstract

Male costs of mating are now thought to be widespread. The two-spot ladybird beetle (Adalia bipunctata) has been the focus of many studies of mating and sexual selection, yet the costs of mating for males are unknown. The mating system of A. bipunctata involves a spermatophore nuptial gift ingested by females after copulation. In this study, we investigate the cost to males of mating and of transferring spermatophores in terms of lifespan, ejaculate production and depletion of nutritional reserves. We found that males faced a strong trade-off between mating and survival, with males that were randomly assigned to mate a single time experiencing a 53% reduction in post-mating lifespan compared to non-mating males. This is among the most severe survival costs of a single mating yet reported. However, spermatophore transfer did not impact male survival. Instead, the costs associated with spermatophores appeared as a reduced ability to transfer spermatophores in successive matings. Furthermore, males ingested more food following spermatophore transfer than after matings without spermatophores, suggesting that spermatophore transfer depletes male nutritional reserves. This is to our knowledge the first report of an effect of variatio...Continue Reading

References

Sep 25, 2001·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·J S Kotiaho
Mar 11, 2004·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·O Y Martin, D J Hosken
Aug 15, 2006·The Journal of Animal Ecology·K Mary WebberleyGregory D D Hurst
Jul 31, 2009·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Sandra H SouthGöran Arnqvist
Jun 25, 2010·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Jennifer C Perry, Locke Rowe
Oct 1, 1992·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·M G Ritchie
Sep 6, 2011·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Dominic A Edward, Tracey Chapman
Apr 16, 2013·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Jennifer C PerryStuart Wigby

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 14, 2018·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·Tom P G Van den BeukenIsabel M Smallegange
Jun 16, 2018·Heredity·Erin L MacartneyRussell Bonduriansky
Nov 24, 2017·Bulletin of Entomological Research·Amanda C TúlerA R S Rodrigues
Jun 24, 2020·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Md Kawsar Khan
Apr 8, 2017·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·E L MacartneyR Bonduriansky

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Excel
JMP

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.