Interspecific variation in ejaculate allocation and associated effects on female fitness in seed beetles

When ejaculates are costly to produce, males are expected to allocate their ejaculate resources over successive matings in a manner that optimizes their reproductive success and this may have important consequences for their mates. In seed beetles (Coleoptera; Bruchidae), ejaculates vary in size acr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of evolutionary biology 2008-03, Vol.21 (2), p.461-470
Main Authors: RÖNN, J.L, KATVALA, M, ARNQVIST, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
accessory gland products
acessory gland products
Animal reproduction
Animals
Biologi
Biology
Callosobruchus
Coleoptera - genetics
Coleoptera - physiology
cryptic female choice
Ejaculation - genetics
Ejaculation - physiology
Evolutionary biology
Female
Genetic Variation
Insects
Longevity - physiology
Male
NATURAL SCIENCES
NATURVETENSKAP
nuptial gifts
Optimization
Oviparity - physiology
post-mating sexual selection
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
sexual selection
sperm allocation
sperm competition
Zabrotes
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Summary:When ejaculates are costly to produce, males are expected to allocate their ejaculate resources over successive matings in a manner that optimizes their reproductive success and this may have important consequences for their mates. In seed beetles (Coleoptera; Bruchidae), ejaculates vary in size across species from weighing less than 1%, up to as much as 8%, of male body weight. Ejaculates contain not only sperm but also a range of additional substances and females in some species gain benefits from receiving large ejaculates. Male ejaculate allocation may thus affect female fitness. Here, we first characterized the pattern of male ejaculate allocation over successive matings in seven-seed beetle species. We then assessed how this allocation affected female fitness in each species. Although females generally benefited from receiving large ejaculates, the interspecific variation observed both in ejaculate allocation patterns and in their effects on female fitness was remarkably large considering that the species studied are closely related. Our analyses suggest that variation in ejaculate composition is the key, both within and across species. We discuss possible causes for this variation and conclude that coevolution between male ejaculates and female utilization of ejaculate substances has apparently been rapid in this clade.
ISSN:1010-061X
1420-9101
1420-9101
DOI:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01493.x