scholarly journals An experimental test of the role of male mating history on paternal effects in the livebearer fish Gambusia holbrooki

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 20190945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Upama Aich ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Rebecca J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Gambusia Holbrooki ◽  
Paternal Effects ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Mating History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Previous Mating ◽  
Physical Access

Studies often show that paternal age affects offspring fitness. However, such effects could be due either to age, or to a male's previous mating effort (which is necessarily confounded with age). We experimentally tested whether differences in the mating history of old males affect offspring performance in the mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki. Upon maturation, males were housed for a duration of the natural field-breeding season (23 weeks) either with mating access to females (lifetime-mating), or with visual but no physical access to females (no-mating). We then paired these males with a female to test whether male mating history had a significant effect on their mate's breeding success or offspring performance. The daughters, but not the sons, of ‘no-mating’ treatment males matured significantly sooner, and at a significantly smaller size, than those of ‘lifetime-mating’ treatment males. There was, however, no effect of male mating history on their daughters' initial fecundity, or on proxy measures of their sons’ reproductive success. These results, when combined with earlier studies showing effects of male mating history on sperm quality, growth and immunity, suggest that variation in paternal effects currently attributed to male age could partly arise because older males have usually mated more often than younger males.

A Technique for Distinguishing Virgin and Mated Males of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Hu ◽  
D. A. Andow
Keyword(s):  
Error Rate ◽  
Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Mating History ◽  
History Of

Studies on the mating history of male Lepidoptera are generally lacking because of difficulties in determining male mating status. In previous studies, presence/absence of pigmented fluids inside the male primary simplex have been used successfully for determining mating status. However, males of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), have creamy white fluids in the primary simplex instead of pigmented fluids, so presence/absence of pigmented fluids inside the primary simplex cannot be used to assess mating status in this species. We developed a scoring system for the fluids inside the primary simplex that allowed us to classify O. nubilalis male mating status and the timing of copulation. The scoring system relies on differences in the fluids in the 1st, 2nd and 7th segments of the primary simplex. Males known to be virgins, mated <1d previously and mated >1d previously could be distinguished with a 6.3% error rate. The method was verified on 41 males in a blind study, with 100% accurate classification of the males.

scholarly journals Does the winner–loser effect determine male mating success?

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 20180195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Harrison ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Megan L. Head
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Gambusia Holbrooki ◽  
Male Mating Success ◽  
Male Size ◽  
Fighting Ability ◽  
History Of

Winning or losing a fight can have lasting effects on competitors. Controlling for inherent fighting ability and other factors, a history of winning often makes individuals more likely to win future contests, while the opposite is true for losers (the ‘winner–loser effect’). But does the winner–loser effect also influence a male's mating success? We experimentally staged contests between male mosquitofish ( Gambusia holbrooki ) such that focal males either won or lost three successive encounters with stimulus males. We then placed a size-matched (to control for inherent fighting ability) winner and loser with a female and monitored their behaviour ( n = 63 trios). Winners spent significantly more time associating with the female. Winners did not make more copulation attempts, nor have a greater number of successful attempts. There was, however, a significant effect of male size on the number of successful copulation attempts: success decreased with male size for losers, but size had no effect on the success rate of winners.

scholarly journals Sexual activity diminishes male virility in twoCoccinellaspecies: consequences for female fertility and progeny development

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 570-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Michaud ◽  
Mahadev Bista ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Omkar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Coccinella Septempunctata ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Paternal Effects ◽  
Female Fecundity ◽  
Mating Activity ◽  
Seminal Fluid Proteins ◽  
Mating History

AbstractMale contributions, both chemical and behavioural, can influence female sperm usage and reproductive success. To determine whether such male factors are subject to depletion inCoccinella septempunctataandCoccinella transversalis, we tested the effects of male mating history on male virility, as estimated by measures of mating behaviour, female reproductive success and progeny fitness, with parental age held constant. Overt measures of male mating effort (wriggling duration, number of shaking bouts and total copula duration) all diminished from virgin to 5 × mated males and were mirrored by concurrent declines in female fecundity and fertility (measured over 20 days). Paternal effects were also observed which diminished as a function of mating history, suggesting that transgenerational signals of male origin are also subject to depletion. Progeny of virgin fathers had higher rates of survival (C. transversalis) and faster development (both species) than progeny of 5 × mated fathers. Seminal fluid proteins are known to have allohormonal properties and can stimulate female fecundity and fertility in a number of insects, making them strong candidates for depletion as a function of mating activity. However, it is also possible that sperm limitation and/or reduced tactile stimulation of females by multiple-mated males may have contributed to some of the observed effects.

scholarly journals Paternal effects correlate with female reproductive stimulation in the polyandrous ladybirdCheilomenes sexmaculata

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Mirhosseini ◽  
J.P. Michaud ◽  
M.A. Jalali ◽  
M. Ziaaddini
Keyword(s):  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Paternal Effects ◽  
Female Fecundity ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
Male Age ◽  
Mating History ◽  
Epigenetic Effects ◽  
Seminal Fluids ◽  
Egg Fertility ◽  
Male Factors

AbstractComponents of male seminal fluids are known to stimulate fecundity and fertility in females of numerous insect species and paternal effects on offspring phenotype are also known, but no studies have yet demonstrated links between male effects on female reproduction and those on progeny phenotype. In separate laboratory experiments employing 10-day-old virgin females ofCheilomenes sexmaculata(F.), we varied male age and mating history to manipulate levels of male allomones and found that the magnitude of paternal effects on progeny phenotype was correlated with stimulation of female reproduction. Older virgin males remained in copula longer than younger ones, induced higher levels of female fecundity, and sired progeny that developed faster to yield heavier adults. When male age was held constant (13 days), egg fertility declined as a function of previous male copulations, progeny developmental times increased, and the adult weight of daughters declined. These results suggest that male epigenetic effects on progeny phenotype act in concert with female reproductive stimulation; both categories of effects increased as a consequence of male celibacy (factor accumulation), and diminished as a function of previous matings (factor depletion). Male factors that influence female reproduction are implicated in sexual conflict and parental effects may extend this conflict to offspring phenotype. Whereas mothers control the timing of oviposition events and can use maternal effects to tailor progeny phenotypes to prevailing or anticipated conditions, fathers cannot. Since females remate and dilute paternity in polyandrous systems, paternal fitness will be increased by linking paternal effects to female fecundity stimulation, so that more benefits accrue to the male's own progeny.

scholarly journals The epidemiology of schizophrenia: replacing dogma with knowledge

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Social Risk Factors ◽  
Common Pathway ◽  
History Of ◽  
Made In

Major advances have been made in our understanding of the epidemiology of schizophrenia. We now know that the disorder is more common and severe in young men, and that the incidence varies geographically and temporally. Risk factors have been elucidated; biological risks include a family history of the disorder, advanced paternal age, obstetric complications, and abuse of drugs such as stimulants and cannabis. In addition, recent research has also identified social risk factors such as being born and brought up in a city, migration, and certain types of childhood adversity such as physical abuse and bullying, as well as social isolation and adverse events in adult life. Current research is focussing on the significance of minor psychotic symptoms in the general population, gene-environmental interaction, and how risk factors impact on pathogenesis; perhaps all risk factors ultimately impact on striatal dopamine as the final common pathway.

Effects of male ejaculate on female reproductive output and longevity in Photinus fireflies

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. South ◽  
S.M. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Female Fitness ◽  
Nuptial Gifts ◽  
Mating History ◽  
Offspring Production ◽  
Spermatophore Size ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
Insight Into

In many insects, nuptial gifts in the form of spermatophores have been shown to increase female fecundity and to contribute to female somatic maintenance. Examining how variation in male spermatophore size affects female fitness components can provide insight into the evolution of nuptial gifts, as well as insight into potential conflicts between the sexes. Here we present an experimental study on the firefly Photinus obscurellus LeConte, 1851 in which we altered spermatophore size by manipulating male mating history and examined effects on female offspring production and longevity. Females were randomly allocated to one of two mating treatments in which they mated once with a male producing either a large or a small spermatophore. We found that male spermatophore size had no significant effect on lifetime fecundity or daily reproductive rates of female P. obscurellus, but females that received a larger spermatophore showed a tendency toward longer postmating life spans. These results suggest a direct benefit to females from nuptial gifts and also reveal the potential for synergistic effects on multiple facets of female fitness.

Sperm output and body condition are maintained independently of hibernation in an endangered temperate amphibian

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinlan Poo ◽  
Kristin M. Hinkson ◽  
Edward Stege
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
History Of ◽  
Unexpected Findings ◽  
Sperm Output ◽  
Wyoming Toad ◽  
Number Of Cells

Hibernation is an integral part of the life history of species living in seasonal environments. However, our knowledge about the link between hibernation and reproductive success in amphibians remains limited, which poses an obstacle for critical conservation efforts. To fill this gap, we quantified the effects of captive hibernation on sperm quality, sperm quantity and body condition in an endangered anuran, the Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri), and used naturally hibernated wild toads as a standard for comparison. We hypothesised that hibernation is essential for optimal sperm output but is detrimental to body condition. Sperm collection was performed using assisted reproductive technologies for both captive and wild toads. Contrary to our hypotheses, no differences were observed in sperm metrics (total number of cells, concentration, motility and viability) or in body condition across captive treatment groups (0, 30 or 60 days of hibernation). Moreover, no difference was found between sperm metrics of captive toads and wild toads. These unexpected findings suggest that hibernation may not be an essential process for spermiation in A. baxteri while using exogenous hormones, and illustrate the potential of temperate amphibians to adapt to varying environmental conditions during winter months.

scholarly journals Adaptive paternal effects? Experimental evidence that the paternal environment affects offspring performance

Ecology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
pp. 2575-2582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela J. Crean ◽  
John M. Dwyer ◽  
Dustin J. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Paternal Effects ◽  
Offspring Performance

scholarly journals Allee effect in polar bears: a potential consequence of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1843) ◽  
pp. 20161883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viola Pavlova ◽  
Jacob Nabe-Nielsen ◽  
Rune Dietz ◽  
Christian Sonne ◽  
Volker Grimm
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Polar Bear ◽  
Allee Effect ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyl ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Polar Bears

Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) from East Greenland and Svalbard exhibited very high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the 1980s and 1990s. In Svalbard, slow population growth during that period was suspected to be linked to PCB contamination. In this case study, we explored how PCBs could have impacted polar bear population growth and/or male reproductive success in Svalbard during the mid-1990s by reducing the fertility of contaminated males. A dose–response relationship linking the effects of PCBs to male polar bear fertility was extrapolated from studies of the effects of PCBs on sperm quality in rodents. Based on this relationship, an individual-based model of bear interactions during the breeding season predicted fertilization success under alternative assumptions regarding male–male competition for females. Contamination reduced pregnancy rates by decreasing the availability of fertile males, thus triggering a mate-finding Allee effect, particularly when male–male competition for females was limited or when infertile males were able to compete with fertile males for females. Comparisons of our model predictions on age-dependent reproductive success of males with published empirical observations revealed that the low representation of 10–14-year-old males among breeding males documented in Svalbard in mid-1990s could have resulted from PCB contamination. We conclude that contamination-related male infertility may lead to a reduction in population growth via an Allee effect. The magnitude of the effect is largely dependent on the population-specific mating system. In eco-toxicological risk assessments, appropriate consideration should therefore be given to negative effects of contaminants on male fertility and male mating behaviour.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document