scholarly journals ‘Unscrambling’ the drivers of egg production in Agassiz’s desert tortoise: climate and individual attributes predict reproductive output

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
CI Mitchell ◽  
DA Friend ◽  
LT Phillips ◽  
EA Hunter ◽  
JE Lovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Desert Tortoise

scholarly journals Reproductive Biology of Ovigerous Female Emerita emeritus (Crustacea, Decapoda) in Bengkulu Coastal Waters, Indonesia: Egg Production and Reproductive Output

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ouratul Edritanti ◽  
Achmad Farajallah ◽  
Yusli Wardiatno
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Ovigerous Female ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Egg Volume

Abstract Emerita emeritus is an abundant species in Bengkulu coastal waters, but the knowledge of its reproductive biology is poor. The present study was conducted to elucidate the reproductive aspects of ovigerous female E. emeritus, including fecundity, egg volume and reproductive output. This study was conducted between January 2015 and January 2016 in Bengkulu coastal waters, Indonesia. Samples were collected manually using shovels and hands. The results showed that ovigerous females occurred every month. Fecundity increased significantly in ovigerous females proportional to the size. No correlation was shown between sea surface temperature and egg production. Fecundity and reproductive output decreased throughout the embryonic development.

scholarly journals The reproductive performance of the Red-Algae shrimp Leander paulensis (Ortmann, 1897) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) and the effect of post-spawning female weight gain on weight-dependent parameters

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Zimmermann ◽  
Fabrício Lopes Carvalho ◽  
Fernando L. Mantelatto
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Egg Volume ◽  
Average Fecundity ◽  
Female Weight

AbstractDecapod species have evolved with a variety of reproductive strategies. In this study reproductive features of the palaemonid shrimp Leander paulensiswere investigated. Individuals were collected in the coastal region of Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. In all, 46 ovigerous females were examined in terms of the following reproductive traits: fecundity, reproductive output, brood loss and egg volume. Leander paulensis produces a large number of small eggs with an average fecundity of 635 ± 246 eggs. Egg volume increased significantly from early (0.034 ± 0.008 mm3) to late development stage (0.05 ± 0.012 mm3). The reproductive output did not correlate with female size. The weight of females bearing stage 2 eggs was significantly higher than that of females carrying stage 1 eggs. We assume that the reason for this weight gain is the recovery of female reserves that have been depleted for egg production. Moreover, we emphasize that this weight gain must be considered when evaluating weight-dependent variables such as reproductive output or brood loss in relation to female weight. Otherwise, an overestimation of these variables might lead to inaccurate results.

Love for sale and its fitness benefits: nuptial gifts in the scorpionfly Panorpa vulgaris represent paternal investment

Behaviour ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 143 (7) ◽  
pp. 825-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sierk Engels ◽  
Klaus Peter Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Mating Effort ◽  
Nuptial Gift ◽  
Paternal Investment ◽  
Nuptial Gifts ◽  
Female Fecundity ◽  
Nuptial Feeding ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Fitness Benefits

AbstractNuptial feeding is a very common strategy shown by males of various insect taxa in order to obtain copulations. In the majority of cases these gifts presented during or after courtship and/or copulation can be considered as mating effort. In this study we present data which indicate that nuptial feeding in Panorpa vulgaris (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) represents paternal investment. During copulations males produce salivary secretions which are consumed by the females. The more salivary masses a male produces the longer the copulation will last. Since sperm are transferred continuously during copulation and fertilization of eggs follows the fair raffle principle, females allocate paternity in accordance to copulation duration and therefore to the amount of nuptial gifts they receive from a certain male. In the present study we are able to show that the number of salivary masses consumed significantly affects the number of eggs a female produces. Thus, in P. vulgaris the nuptial gift increases the reproductive output of females and hence must not only be considered as mating effort but also as paternal investment. The mechanism by which salivary masses increase female fecundity is yet unknown. We hypothesize that the secretions may not only transfer nutrients but may possibly operate as carriers for an allohormone that manipulates the females' physiology in terms of increasing egg production.

Causes and consequences of arm damage in the sea star Leptasterias hexactis

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L Bingham ◽  
Jennifer Burr ◽  
Herb Wounded Head
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Puget Sound ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Physical Disturbance ◽  
Study Sites

Leptasterias hexactis, a sea star common in rocky intertidal areas of Puget Sound, Washington, often has damaged or missing arms. We measured the frequency of arm damage in 5 populations and examined the causes and costs of the damage. Between 30 and 46% of L. hexactis found at the study sites were missing arms or parts of arms. Some of the damage, particularly when only parts of arms were missing, may result from physical disturbance (e.g., crushing). Most arm damage, however, appears to result from predation by the crab Cancer oregonensis. The ability to lose, or autotomize, arms has adaptive significance if it saves a sea star from death. However, it also carries costs. The greatest cost was a decrease in reproduction. Leptasterias hexactis missing arms showed a 44-69% drop in egg production 7 months after arm loss. The effect was still evident during the next reproductive season (19 months after arm loss). We estimate that natural levels of arm damage could decrease the reproductive output of a population of L. hexactis by 7-10%.

scholarly journals Effect of Duration of Exposure to Males on Female Reproductive Performance of the Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla agilis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 560
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Athanasiadis ◽  
Maria L. Pappas ◽  
George D. Broufas
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Intrinsic Rate ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽  
Egg Hatchability ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Wide Range

Chrysoperla agilis Henry et al. is one of the five cryptic species of the carnea group found in Europe. They are known to widely occur in agricultural fields and survive and reproduce in a wide range of temperatures. The reproductive biology of the cryptic species is poorly known, especially regarding the number of matings required for the females’ maximum reproductive output. We recorded the egg production and longevity of virgin females, as well as of females that had access to males for 1 week or for their lifetime. Longevity of C. agilis females with access to males was similar whether these were present for 1 week or for their lifetime (64.8 and 66.1 days, respectively). On the other hand, oviposition was higher in the long-term exposure to males (302.1 vs. 421.1 eggs, respectively). Virgin females lived longer (94.1 days) than mated females and laid a low number (54.5) of (unfertile) eggs. Egg hatchability and progeny sex ratio were similar in treatments with males. Nevertheless, the highest value (0.1321) of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was recorded when females were continuously exposed to males. These results are relevant to biological control and could be applicable in mass-rearing C. agilis and predicting its population dynamics in the field.

Influence of intraspecific larval competition and mating on the longevity and reproductive performance of females of the leaf miner Agromyza frontella (Rondani) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 2197-2200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Quiring ◽  
Jeremy N. McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Leaf Miner ◽  
Pupal Weight ◽  
Larval Competition ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Total Fecundity ◽  
Agromyza Frontella

Longevity and fecundity of mated and unmated Agromyza frontella females were positively related to pupal weight which was determined by the degree of intraspecific larval competition to which individuals had been subjected. The incidence of egg eclosion for mated females was also positively correlated to pupal weight. Unmated females lived longer, started ovipositing later following emergence, and had a lower mean daily and total fecundity than mated females, which supports the hypothesis of a trade-off between reproductive output and longevity. However, a positive relationship existed between fecundity and longevity for both mated and unmated females, as well as between high early egg production and longevity for mated females.

Courtship Feeding and Osprey Reproduction

The Auk ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Poole
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Supplemental Food ◽  
Mate Fidelity ◽  
Courtship Feeding ◽  
Extra Food ◽  
Female Weight

Abstract A female Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) usually is fed exclusively by its mate between pair formation and egg-laying. Laying dates and courtship periods-but not clutch size, egg size, breeding success, or female weight reserves-were correlated (negatively) with the prelaying feeding rates of 12 females breeding in a coastal Massachusetts colony. However, the age of a pair and of its bond influenced laying dates and courtship periods more than food intake. Older and more experienced pairs arrived earlier and laid eggs more quickly than younger pairs. As an independent test of food limitation in Ospreys producing eggs, supplemental food was provided to 4 nests during courtship. Supplemental food did not influence a female's reproductive output or timing, but males at nests receiving extra food showed reduced rates of foraging. Egg production boosted the daily energy expenditure of female Ospreys by only about 20% and females gained little weight during courtship, suggesting that egg-laying is not a demanding process in this species. Because age and mate retention had a greater effect on the reproductive output and timing of female Ospreys than rates of food consumption during courtship, and because there was evidence that poorly fed females were less willing to copulate and less faithful to their mates than well-fed females, it is argued that Osprey courtship feeding may function primarily to ensure mate fidelity.

Population dynamics and reproductive output of the non-indigenous crab Charybdis hellerii in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Bolaños ◽  
J. Antonio Baeza ◽  
Jesús E. Hernandez ◽  
Carlos Lira ◽  
Régulo López
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Brooding Female ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Caribbean ◽  
First Maturity

Charybdis hellerii is one of several poorly known non-indigenous crabs in the Caribbean. In this study we report on the reproductive dynamic of a shallow subtidal population that invaded Isla Margarita, Venezuela, south-eastern Caribbean Sea > 15 years ago and has persisted in the region up to date. Male and female crabs, both large and small, were found year-round at the study site. The size–frequency distribution indicated a lifespan of 2–3 years. Charybdis hellerii reproduces continuously but with very low intensity during the year. Small individuals (<25 mm carapace length) were uncommon and intermittently found during the study period. Sex-ratio varied between 0.1 and 0.65 (mean ± SD = of 0.46 ± 0.14) and did not differ significantly from 1:1 ratio during most of the year. The size of the smallest brooding female was 36.81 mm carapace width (CW). Behavioural size at first maturity (movable abdomen) in males and females was estimated to be 22.39 mm CW (confidence limits: 18.35–24.72) and 37.43 mm CW (35.55–39.09), respectively. Reproductive output, estimated as the ratio of embryo to female body dry mass, varied between 0.052 and 0.084 (0.07 ± 0.008). Also, reproductive output was size-dependent with large females allocating proportionally less resources to egg production than small females. The reproductive schedule here reported for C. hellerii disagrees with the generalized idea of exotic populations ‘thriving’ in an environment free of natural enemies (e.g. predators, competitors and diseases).

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