scholarly journals Perception of male–male competition influences Drosophila copulation behaviour even in species where females rarely remate

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Lizé ◽  
Rowan J. Doff ◽  
Eve A. Smaller ◽  
Zenobia Lewis ◽  
Gregory D. D. Hurst
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Drosophila Subobscura ◽  
Prior Exposure ◽  
Copulation Duration ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Perceived Intensity ◽  
Copulation Behaviour

Males in many taxa are known to exhibit behavioural plasticity in response to the perceived intensity of sperm competition, reflected in Drosophila melanogaster by increased copulation duration following prior exposure to a rival. We tested the prediction that males do not adjust their copulation effort in response to the presence of a competitor in Drosophila species where there is little or no sperm competition. Contrary to expectations, male plasticity in copulation duration was found in both Drosophila subobscura and Drosophila acanthoptera , species in which females rarely remate. These results are discussed in relation to the adaptive basis of plasticity in these species.

SPERM PREFERENCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER  †

Genetics ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-427
Author(s):  
D Childress ◽  
D L Hartl
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Prior Exposure ◽  
Different Types

Abstract A mating is described in which the females appear actively to discriminate against one of the genotypes of sperm. The males in the mating carry T(1;4)B  S  , and the sperm type selected against is the B  S+4-bearing segregant. Prior exposure of the reproductive tract of the females to B  S+4-bearing sperm seems to enhance the ability of the females to subsequently discriminate against B  S+4-bearing sperm. Thus it appears that at least some females of Drosophila melanogaster do possess a mechanism whereby different types of sperm can be distinguished—the sperm preference observed in this system appears to be independent of the meiotic drive in the T(1;4)B  S males.

Encapsulation ability: Are all Drosophila species equally armed? An investigation in the obscura group

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (7) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Havard ◽  
P. Eslin ◽  
G. Prévost ◽  
G. Doury
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Drosophila Subobscura ◽  
Drosophila Species ◽  
Drosophila Persimilis ◽  
Obscura Group ◽  
Encapsulation Ability

Unable to form cellular capsules around large foreign bodies, the species Drosophila subobscura Collin in Gordon, 1936 was previously shown devoid of lamellocytes, the capsule-forming hemocytes in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This unusual case of deficiency in encapsulation ability was remarkable enough to motivate further investigations in phylogenetically related species of the obscura group. Like D. subobscura, the species Drosophila azteca Sturtevant and Dobzhansky, 1936, Drosophila bifasciata Pomini, 1940, Drosophila guanche Monclus, 1976, Drosophila miranda Dobzhansky, 1935, Drosophila persimilis Dobzhansky and Epling, 1944, and Drosophila pseudoobcura Frovola and Astaurov, 1929 were found to be unable to encapsulate large foreign bodies and also to lack lamellocytes. Surprisingly, Drosophila affinis Sturtevant, 1916, Drosophila tolteca Patterson and Mainland, 1944, and Drosophila obscura Fallen, 1823 were capable of mounting cellular capsules, although their encapsulation abilities remained weak. These three species were free of lamellocytes but possessed small pools of never before described “atypical hemocytes” present in the hemolymph when capsules were formed.

scholarly journals SPERM COMPETITION AND SPERM LOSS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER FEMALES FERTILIZED BY YSX·YL/0 MALES

Genetics ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-335
Author(s):  
G Olivieri ◽  
G Avallone ◽  
L Pica
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sperm Competition

scholarly journals Exposure to rivals and plastic responses to sperm competition in Drosophila melanogaster

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Bretman ◽  
Claudia Fricke ◽  
Primrose Hetherington ◽  
Rachel Stone ◽  
Tracey Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Plastic Responses

Behavioural and Breeding-Habitat Related Aspects of Sperm Competition in Razorbills

Behaviour ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 123 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Special Problem ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Fertile Period ◽  
Colonial Species ◽  
Paternity Assurance ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Copulation Behaviour

AbstractI observed razorbill copulation behaviour to examine the ability of males to assure their paternity in the presence of sperm competition. While males in colonial species are generally unable to guard their mates throughout the female's fertile period, male razorbills suffered a special problem in that females actively sought extra-pair copulations (EPCs) and did so in two separate locations, the colony and ledges outside the colony called "mating arenas". Most within-pair and extra-pair copulations were performed in the mating arenas (74% and 82%, respectively). Individuals were consistent in their attendance in one of the two arenas, depending upon the accessibility of the breeding site from the arena, and the attendance of other individuals from the same sub-colony. Individuals were also consistent in their occupation of specific sites within the arenas, and usually attended these sites between years. Attendance in the relatively small arenas brought individuals from the sparser colony into much closer proximity than when they attended their nesting sites. The higher density in the arenas was associated with females receiving EPC attempts three times more frequently upon arrival in the arenas than in the colony. Females resisted most EPC attempts, but a high proportion (50%) of females accepted at least one EPC prior to egg-laying. Mating arena attendance by males was aimed at obtaining EPCs when their mates were absent, and at attempting to assure their paternity when their mates were present. Paternity assurance was accomplished by a) inhibiting their mates from accepting EPCs, b) depriving other males access to the female, and c) copulating with the female frequently. Males did not guard their mates effectively in that they were absent from the mating arenas during a large proportion (34%) of their mates' arrivals. The principal male strategy for gaining paternity assurance was apparently to attempt frequent copulations with their mates. Males achieved cloacal contact (and presumably insemination) with their mates approximately 80 times during the 30 days preceding the laying of the single egg, and the number of days males attended the arenas was positively correlated with the number of

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