scholarly journals Physical characteristics and reproductive performance in Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Dieng ◽  
F. Abang ◽  
A.H. Ahmad ◽  
I. Abd Ghani ◽  
T. Satho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Physical Factor ◽  
The Body ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Egg Viability ◽  
Crucial Importance ◽  
Population Maintenance ◽  
Dengue Vectors

Body size is a physical factor of crucial importance underlying important traits of the reproductive dynamics of both sexes in mosquitoes. Most studies on the influence of body size in mating success of dengue vectors addressed sperm transfer to females and did not consider egg production, a prerequisite for population maintenance; male body size impact on reproduction has attracted little research interest with respect to sterile insect technique. In experiments involving differently sized adults, we examined whether the body size of the mates is a source of variation in reproductive outcome in <em>Aedes aegypti</em>. In the absence of male partners, large females (LF) showed better fecundity than small females (SF). In intraclass mating trials, egg production was much greater in largesized than smallsized pairs. There were comparable fecundities in large females mated with small males and large pairs. [SF•SM] and [SF•LM] pairs showed equivalent fecundity. Nonmating did not result in the production of viable eggs by either small or large females. We also observed that eggs produced by largesized females mated with small males had better hatching success than those from either small or large pairs. Mating between small females and large males resulted in poor egg viability.

Phylogeny explains better than ecology or body size the variation of the first lower molar in didelphid marsupials

Mammalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luíza Z. Magnus ◽  
Nilton Cáceres
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationship ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Lower Molar ◽  
Better Than

AbstractTribosphenic molars are considered great innovations in mammals and are related to several structures and variables that can explain adaptation. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of body size and habitat relation, using a phylogenetic approach, in the first lower molar shape in didelphid marsupials. Geometric morphometric analyses of the lower molar’s shape were performed on 261 specimens, 130 females and 131 males, covering 14 genera and 37 species of the Didelphidae family. The molar conformation showed a larger talonid in relation to the trigonid in more arboreal genera, and narrower and longer molars in genera with a larger body size. Phylogeny was the variable with the highest explanation for both females and males (16.17% and 9.02%, respectively). The body size was significant in males, presenting an important influence on molar shape, while the body size in females was not significant when phylogenetic relationship was controlled for. In both sexes, habitat presents a strong effect of phylogeny, with no direct effect on molar shape. Didelphid molar shape is another result of its phylogenetic history and does not respond very much to environmental pressures. Male body size influences molar shape in didelphids, even in the presence of a strong phylogenetic signal.

Reproductive patterns of European pond turtles differ between sites: a small scale scenario

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-349
Author(s):  
Marco A.L. Zuffi ◽  
Elena Foschi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Shell Height ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Population Structures ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Similar Body

From 1996 to 2002, we studied the body size, measures of reproductive strategy (relative clutch mass and delayed reproduction at sexual maturity), and reproductive output (clutch frequency and annual egg production) of female European Pond turtles,Emys orbicularis, at two sites separated by 12 km in central Mediterranean Tuscany (San Rossore and Camp Darby, central northern Italy). Females did not reproduce at the first appearance of external sexual characters, but reproduced at larger sizes, probably as older turtles. Among years, reproductive females were more common than were non-reproductive females, yet both groups had similar body sizes. Body size (carapace length and width, plastron length and width, shell height and body mass) varied between localities and among years. Body size differed between reproductive and non reproductive females in Camp Darby, but not in San Rossore females. Shell volume did not vary among years, nor between localities, nor between reproductive status. Reproductive females had higher body condition indices (BCI) than did non-reproductive females, while BCI did not differ between females laying one clutch and females laying multiple clutches. Clutch size did not vary among years. One clutch per year was much more frequent than multiple clutches, and multiple clutches were more frequent in Camp Darby than in San Rossore females, likely due to differences in population structures between sites.

scholarly journals Genetic manipulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway activity has sex-biased effects on Drosophila body size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W Millington ◽  
George P Brownrigg ◽  
Paige J Basner-Collins ◽  
Ziwei Sun ◽  
Elizabeth J Rideout
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
The Body ◽  
Growth Factor Signaling ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Pathway Activity ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Growth Factor Signaling Pathway

Abstract In Drosophila raised in nutrient-rich conditions female body size is approximately 30% larger than male body size due to an increased rate of growth and differential weight loss during the larval period. While the mechanisms that control this sex difference in body size remain incompletely understood, recent studies suggest that the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS) plays a role in the sex-specific regulation of processes that influence body size during development. In larvae, IIS activity differs between the sexes, and there is evidence of sex-specific regulation of IIS ligands. Yet, we lack knowledge of how changes to IIS activity impact body size in each sex, as the majority of studies on IIS and body size use single- or mixed-sex groups of larvae and/or adult flies. The goal of our current study was to clarify the body size requirement for IIS activity in each sex. To achieve this goal we used established genetic approaches to enhance, or inhibit, IIS activity, and quantified pupal size in males and females. Overall, genotypes that inhibited IIS activity caused a female-biased decrease in body size, whereas genotypes that augmented IIS activity caused a male-specific increase in body size. This data extends our current understanding of body size regulation by showing that most changes to IIS pathway activity have sex-biased effects, and highlights the importance of analyzing body size data according to sex.

Studies on a Method of Radioactive Tagging of a Gall Midge, Dasyneura brassicae Winn. (Dipt., Cecidomyiidae)

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvard Sylven ◽  
Hans Lönsjö
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Gall Midge ◽  
The Body ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Fresh Weight

AbstractAs mentioned in an earlier paper (Sylvén, I970) specimens of the Brassica Pod Midge, Dasyneura brassicae Winn., can be efficiently tagged by treating midge-infested pods with 32P. The results of the experiment dealt with in the present article indicate that about I-I I/2 μCi of 32P per g fresh weight of the pods is for this purpose an appropriate contamination level. This amount gives a high labelling effect, and seems to have no drastic influence upon the body size or the egg production of the female midges developed from larvae in the pods treated.

scholarly journals The growth factor BMP11 is required for the development and evolution of a male exaggerated weapon and its associated fighting behavior in a water strider

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. e3001157
Author(s):  
William Toubiana ◽  
David Armisén ◽  
Séverine Viala ◽  
Amélie Decaras ◽  
Abderrahman Khila
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
The Body ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Water Strider ◽  
Fighting Behavior ◽  
Sexually Selected Traits ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Selected Traits

Exaggerated sexually selected traits, often carried by males, are characterized by the evolution of hyperallometry, resulting in their disproportionate growth relative to the rest of the body among individuals of the same population. While the evolution of allometry has attracted much attention for centuries, our understanding of the developmental genetic mechanisms underlying its emergence remains fragmented. Here we conduct comparative transcriptomics of the legs followed by an RNA interference (RNAi) screen to identify genes that play a role in the hyperallometric growth of the third legs in the males of the water strider Microvelia longipes. We demonstrate that a broadly expressed growth factor, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 11 (BMP11, also known as Growth Differentiation Factor 11), regulates leg allometries through increasing the allometric slope and mean body size in males. In contrast, BMP11 RNAi reduced mean body size but did not affect slope either in the females of M. longipes or in the males and females of other closely related Microvelia species. Furthermore, our data show that a tissue-specific factor, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), increases intercept without affecting mean body size. This indicates a genetic correlation between mean body size and variation in allometric slope, but not intercept. Strikingly, males treated with BMP11 RNAi exhibited a severe reduction in fighting frequency compared to both controls and Ubx RNAi-treated males. Therefore, male body size, the exaggerated weapon, and the intense fighting behavior associated with it are genetically correlated in M. longipes. Our results support a possible role of pleiotropy in the evolution of allometric slope.

scholarly journals Allometry and morphological trait relationship in the sexually dimorphic Chinese dobsonfly, Acanthacorydalis asiatica (Wood-Mason, 1884) (Megaloptera, Corydalidae)

ZooKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 854 ◽  
pp. 119-129
Author(s):  
Chengquan Cao ◽  
Pei Yu ◽  
Fumio Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Male Body Size ◽  
Intermediate Size ◽  
Mandible Length ◽  
Dimorphic Species

Male insects with large weapons such as horns and elongate mandibles would be expected to invest more on such structures than other parts of the body for advantages in male to male competition for mating. In male genitalia, however, intermediate size provides a better fit for more females than small or large sizes, and such a male would leave more offspring regardless of their body size. These predictions were tested using a static allometry analysis between body size and other trait sizes. Acanthacorydalisasiatica is a large dobsonfly (Megalotera) and males have conspicuously large mandibles used as weapons. We examined the hypothesis that the male mandibles of this sexually dimorphic species are sexually selected to enlarge, whereas the male genitalia are stable to be intermediate regardless of a great variation in body size. The results, as predicted, showed positive allometry between male body size and mandible length but negative allometry between male body size and ectoproct length (a male grasping structure). Sperm are transferred through a small spermatophore attached externally to the female genital opening, so it may be evolutionarily unnecessary to develop an enlarged male genital size. In contrast, there may be a trade-off between male mandible size and wing length, because of negative allometry between body size and wing length in males but isometry between them in females.

Ontogenetic shifts in intraguild predation on thrips by phytoseiid mites: the relevance of body size and diet specialization

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 577-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Walzer ◽  
H.F. Paulus ◽  
P. Schausberger
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Frankliniella Occidentalis ◽  
Western Flower Thrips ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
The Body ◽  
Neoseiulus Californicus ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Diet Specialization

AbstractIn greenhouse agroecosystems, a guild of spider mite predators may consist of the oligophagous predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, the polyphagous predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (both Acari: Phytoseiidae) and the primarily herbivorous but facultatively predatory western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Diet-specialization and the predator body size relative to prey are crucial factors in predation on F. occidentalis by P. persimilis and N. californicus. Here, it was tested whether the relevance of these factors changes during predator ontogeny. First, the predator (protonymphs and adult females of P. persimilis and N. californicus): prey (F. occidentalis first instars) body size ratios were measured. Second, the aggressiveness of P. persimilis and N. californicus towards F. occidentalis was assessed. Third, survival, development and oviposition of P. persimilis and N. californicus with F. occidentalis prey was determined. The body size ranking was P. persimilis females > N. californicus females > P. persimilis protonymphs > N. californicus protonymphs. Neoseiulus californicus females were the most aggressive predators, followed by highly aggressive N. californicus protonymphs and moderately aggressive P. persimilis protonymphs. Phytoseiulus persimilis females did not attack thrips. Frankliniella occidentalis larvae are an alternative prey for juvenile N. californicus and P. persimilis, enabling them to reach adulthood. Females of N. californicus but not P. persimilis sustained egg production with thrips prey. Within the guild studied here, N. californicus females are the most harmful predators for F. occidentalis larvae, followed by N. californicus and P. persimilis juveniles. Phytoseiulus persimilis females are harmless to F. occidentalis.

Social behaviour, call repertory and variation in the calls of the pool frog, Rana lessonae (Anura: Ranidae)

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Schneider ◽  
Nasr Mahmoud Mohamad Radwan
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Repetition Rate ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Rana Lessonae

AbstractAt a pond in Kottenforst, Bonn, West Germany, the calling period of the water frog Rana lessonae began on the first of May and ended by the end of June, 1983. The population is of the mixed type: 80-85 % of the individuals are classified as R. lessonae, the rest as R. esculenta. The reproductive period is subdivided into 3 successive phases: pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning. Various exogenous factors, such as temperature, rainfall and sunlight, influence the reproductive period, and they particularly affect calling activity. The male frogs do not produce mating calls when the water temperature is below 14°C, or above 26°C. Female frogs prefer sunny places in the water during the spawning phase. Sexual activity is more intense in male R. lessonae than in male R. esculenta. Medium- and large-size male R. lessonae are more successful than small males in choosing suitable territories and in maintaining of amplexus with females. Male R. lessonae give four basic types of calls-mating call, two territorial calls and release call-and in addition two transitional calls. The basic types are given throughout the calling period, whereas the transitional calls are not. An increase in water temperature induces a decrease in call duration, intercall interval and pulse-group duration of the mating call. On the other hand, the frequencies and the repetition rate of the pulse groups are raised. Similarly, the duration of both territorial calls decreases at higher water temperatures, whereas their dominant frequencies are subjected to a notable increase. Body size has a prominent effect on the mating call. The number of pulses per pulse group and the different frequencies of the call decrease with increasing male body length. The lower pitch in the mating call produced by medium- and large-size males is assumed to play a role in their mating-success. The repetition rate of pulses and the dominant frequency in the territorial calls decrease as the body size of the frogs increases.

scholarly journals Pleiotropy promotes male exaggerated weapon and its associated fighting behaviour in a water strider

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Toubiana ◽  
David Armisén ◽  
Decaras Amélie ◽  
Abderrahman Khila
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Water Strider ◽  
Sexually Selected Traits ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Selected Traits ◽  
Fighting Behaviour

AbstractExaggerated sexually selected traits, often carried by males, are characterized by the evolution of hyperallometry, resulting in their disproportionate growth relative to the rest of the body 1–3. While the evolution of allometry has attracted much attention for centuries, our understanding of the developmental genetic mechanisms underlying its emergence remains fragmented 4,5. Here we show that the hyperallometric legs in the males of the water strider Microvelia longipes are associated with a specific signature of gene expression during development. Using RNAi knockdown, we demonstrate that a broadly expressed growth factor, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 11 (BMP11, also known as Growth Differentiation Factor 11), regulates leg allometries through increasing the allometric coefficient and mean body size in males. In contrast, BMP11 RNAi reduced mean body size but did not affect slope in females. Furthermore, our data show that a tissue specific factor, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), increases intercept without affecting mean body size. This indicates a genetic correlation between mean body size and variation in allometric slope, but not intercept. Strikingly, males treated with BMP11 RNAi exhibited a severe reduction in fighting frequency compared to both controls and Ubx RNAi-treated males. Overall, we demonstrate a genetic correlation between male body size, the exaggerated weapon, and the intense fighting behaviour associated with it in M. longipes. Our results provide evidence for a role of pleiotropy in the evolution of allometric slope.

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