Oviposition after sex: mated Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) females increase oviposition without receiving an ejaculate

Mating and receiving ejaculate can alter female insect physiology and postcopulatory behaviour. During mating, females receive both internal and external stimuli and different components in the ejaculate. In insects, these components consist mostly of sperm and male accessory gland secretions. Some...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian entomologist 2021-10, Vol.153 (5), p.524-537
Main Authors: Reyes-Hernández, M., Córdova-García, G., Díaz-Fleischer, F., Flores-Estévez, N., Pérez-Staples, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accessory gland
Anastrepha ludens
Animal reproduction
Biological effects
Components
Courtship
Diptera
Egg laying
Egg production
Eggs
Entomology
External stimuli
Females
Fruits
Insects
Males
Mating
Mating behavior
Ovaries
Oviposition
Peptides
Pheromones
Physiology
Reproductive behaviour
Research Papers
Secretions
Sexual receptivity
Sperm
Spermatozoa
Statistical analysis
Stimuli
Tephritidae
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Summary:Mating and receiving ejaculate can alter female insect physiology and postcopulatory behaviour. During mating, females receive both internal and external stimuli and different components in the ejaculate. In insects, these components consist mostly of sperm and male accessory gland secretions. Some of the most important changes associated with receiving male accessory gland secretions are a reduction in female sexual receptivity and an increase in oviposition. However, a clear function for these molecules has not been found in the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Here, we tested how the stimulus of mating, receiving a full ejaculate, or only receiving accessory gland secretions can influence ovarian development and oviposition. Our results indicate that the stimulus of mating per se is enough to induce oviposition and increase egg laying in females even if ejaculate is not received, whereas receiving only accessory gland secretions does not increase ovarian development and is not enough to induce oviposition or increase egg production. Further research on the internal and external copulatory courtship of A. ludens will increase our understanding of the role of these secretions in stimulating oviposition independent of ejaculate effects. A biological function for male accessory gland secretions on female behaviour for A. ludens still needs to be found.
ISSN:0008-347X
1918-3240
DOI:10.4039/tce.2021.12