Male Mating Success and the Effect of Mating History on Ejaculate Traits in a Facultatively Parthenogenic Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)

Males can typically increase their lifetime reproductive success by mating with multiple females. However, recent studies across a broad range of species have demonstrated physiological constraints on male multiple mating. In this study, we investigate male mating capacity in Extatosoma tiaratum, a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ethology 2016-07, Vol.122 (7), p.523-530
Main Authors: Alavi, Yasaman, Elgar, Mark A., Jones, Therésa M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal reproduction
ejaculate size
Entomology
Extatosoma tiaratum
mating interval facultative parthenogenesis
sperm viability
spermatophore mass
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Males can typically increase their lifetime reproductive success by mating with multiple females. However, recent studies across a broad range of species have demonstrated physiological constraints on male multiple mating. In this study, we investigate male mating capacity in Extatosoma tiaratum, a facultative parthenogenetic phasmatid. Sperm limitation is thought to be one factor favouring the evolution and maintenance of parthenogenetic reproduction, but studies on male mating ability in facultative parthenogenetic species are extremely rare. To explore whether male mating success varies with mating history, we provided males with weekly mating opportunities with different females throughout their lives. We then observed mating success, and the variation in ejaculate size and quality within each mating. We showed that most, but not all, males can mate multiply, however the amount of ejaculate produced is variable and depends upon male body mass and mating history.
ISSN:0179-1613
1439-0310
DOI:10.1111/eth.12497