scholarly journals Larval competition risk shapes male–male competition and mating behavior in an anuran

2016 ◽  
pp. arw100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Cayuela ◽  
Thierry Lengagne ◽  
Bernard Kaufmann ◽  
Pierre Joly ◽  
Jean-Paul Léna
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Larval Competition

scholarly journals Fluctuating selection strength and intense male competition underlie variation and exaggeration of a water strider’s male weapon

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Toubiana ◽  
Abderrahman Khila
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Fluctuating Selection ◽  
Sexually Selected Traits ◽  
Selected Traits ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSexually selected traits can reach high degrees of expression and variation under directional selection. A growing number of studies suggest that such selection can vary in space, time and form within and between populations. However, the impact of these fluctuations on sexual trait expression is poorly understood. The water striderMicrovelia longipesdisplays a striking case of exaggeration and phenotypic variation where males display extreme differences in the size of their rear legs. To study the origin and maintenance of this exaggerated trait, we conducted comparative behavioral and morphometric experiments in a sample ofMicroveliaspecies. We uncovered differences both in the mating behavior and the degree of sexual dimorphism across these species. Interestingly,M. longipesevolved a specific mating behavior where males compete for egg-laying sites, consisting of small floating objects, to intercept and copulate with gravid females. Field observations revealed rapid fluctuation inM. longipeshabitat stability and the abundance of egg-laying sites. Through male-male competition assays, we demonstrated that male rear legs are used as weapons to dominate egg-laying sites and that intense competition is associated with the evolution of rear leg length exaggeration. Paternity tests using genetic markers demonstrated that small males could only fertilize about 5% of the eggs when egg-laying sites are limiting, whereas this proportion increased to about 20% when egg-laying sites become abundant. Furthermore, diet manipulation and artificial selection experiments also showed that the exaggerated leg length inM. longipesmales is influenced by both genetic and nutritional factors. Collectively, our results highlight how fluctuation in the strength of directional sexual selection, through changes in the intensity of male competition, can drive the exaggeration and phenotypic variation in this weapon trait.

Effects of delaying intromissions on the male rat's mating behavior.

1970 ◽  
Vol 70 (3, Pt.1) ◽  
pp. 413-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest HaRd ◽  
Knut Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behavior

Sexual Behavior is Enhanced by Regular, Repeated Mating from Young Adulthood to Middle Age in Female Long-Evans Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177
Author(s):  
Fay A. Guarraci ◽  
Chantal M.F. Gonzalez ◽  
Devon Lucero ◽  
Lourdes K. Davis ◽  
Sarah H. Meerts
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Repeated Mating ◽  
First Time ◽  
Mating Tests

Background: Aging is associated neuroendocrine changes in women. Animals can be used to model these changes, as well as changes in reproductive behavior. Objective: The current study was designed to characterize mating behavior across age and assess the effects of age and sexual history on mating behavior. Methods: Sexual motivation was assessed using the partner-preference test, in which a female rat is given the choice to interact with a same-sex conspecific or a sexually-vigorous male rat, with which she can mate. Results: Across repeated mating tests (2-12 months of age), female rats spent more time with the male, displayed more solicitation behaviors, were less likely to leave the male after mounts, but visited both stimulus animals less frequently. Comparing a separate group of age-matched, hormoneyoked female rats mated for the first time at 12 months of age to female rats mated for the first time at 2 months of age showed that the 12 month rats visited both stimulus animals less, were less likely to leave the male after mounts, took longer to return to the male after mounts, and displayed fewer solicitation behaviors than their younger counterparts. Relative to middle-aged female rats once they were sexually experienced, 12 month naïve rats spent less time with the male, were more likely to leave the male after mounts, and displayed fewer solicitation behaviors. Furthermore, 12 month naïve rats failed to discriminate between the stimulus animals, visiting both stimulus animals at the same rate unlike 2 month naïve or 12 month experienced rats. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that aging affects some measures of sexual behavior, but most effects of age can be mitigated by regular, repeated mating.

scholarly journals Combined cues of male competition influence spermatozoal investment in a moth

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1223-1234
Author(s):  
Junyan Liu ◽  
Yujing Zhang ◽  
Xia‐Lin Zheng ◽  
Xiong Z. He ◽  
Qiao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Male Competition
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