Unlike a virgin: a meta-analytical review of female mating status in studies of female mate choice

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 34(2), P. 165 - 182

Published: Dec. 3, 2022

Abstract Studies of female mate choice commonly use virgin females as test subjects, either to control for the effects mating or because are presumed be more responsive cues. Theory predicts that will less choosy they risk dying without mating. Moreover, in many species, spend their lives mated than virgins. Thus, exclusive studies may underestimate strength direction and fail reflect natural decisions. We conducted a systematic meta-analysis focusing on three scenarios which might differ females: reproductive isolation, inbreeding avoidance, sexually transmitted disease. Using only was common (53% 303 studies). In addition, 38% lacked information history. Contrary predictions, we found no evidence were females. Nevertheless, excluding from leaves an important gap our understanding role preferences evolution. therefore encourage future consider context include subjects when relevant.

Language: Английский

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Synthesis and Scope of the Role of Postmating Prezygotic Isolation in Speciation

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(10), P. a041429 - a041429

Published: Dec. 27, 2023

How barriers to gene flow arise and are maintained key questions in evolutionary biology. Speciation research has mainly focused on that occur either before mating or after zygote formation. In comparison, postmating prezygotic (PMPZ) isolation-a barrier acts gamete release but formation-is less frequently investigated may hold a unique role generating biodiversity. Here we discuss the distinctive features of PMPZ isolation, including primary drivers molecular mechanisms underpinning isolation. We then present first comprehensive survey isolation research, revealing it is widespread form across eukaryotes. The also exposes obstacles studying part attributable challenges involved directly measuring uncovering its causal mechanisms. Finally, identify outstanding knowledge gaps provide recommendations for improving future This will allow us better understand nature this often-neglected reproductive contribution speciation.

Language: Английский

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Communication via female resistance: sexual behavioural modulation and mutual mate choice determinants in a scorpion

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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EthoCRED: a framework to guide reporting and evaluation of the relevance and reliability of behavioural ecotoxicity studies

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 12, 2024

ABSTRACT Behavioural analysis has been attracting significant attention as a broad indicator of sub‐lethal toxicity and secured place an important subdiscipline in ecotoxicology. Among the most notable characteristics behavioural research, compared to other established approaches ecotoxicology (e.g. reproductive developmental bioassays), are wide range study designs being used diversity endpoints considered. At same time, environmental hazard risk assessment, which underpins regulatory decisions protect environment from potentially harmful chemicals, often recommends that ecotoxicological data be produced following accepted validated test guidelines. These guidelines typically do not address changes, meaning these, sensitive, effects represented assessments. Here, we propose new tool, EthoCRED evaluation method, for assessing relevance reliability ecotoxicity data, considers unique requirements challenges encountered this field. This method accompanying reporting recommendations designed serve extension “Criteria Reporting Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED)” project. As such, can both accommodate array experimental design seen ecotoxicology, could readily implemented into frameworks deemed appropriate by policy makers different jurisdictions allow better integration knowledge gained testing protection. Furthermore, through our recommendations, aim improve studies peer‐reviewed literature, thereby increase their usefulness inform chemical regulation.

Language: Английский

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No general effects of advancing male age on ejaculates: a meta-analysis across the animal kingdom

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 14, 2023

Abstract Senescence, the deterioration of organismal function with advancing age, is a puzzling biological phenomenon. While actuarial senescence ( i.e. , age-dependent increases in mortality rates) well described across some taxa, reproductive age- dependent declines reproduction) less understood, especially males, mixed patterns reported studies. To examine evidence for male senescence, we investigated how age affects ejaculate traits non-human animals via meta-analysis yielding 1814 effect sizes from 379 We found no general pattern senescence. Instead, high heterogeneity reproduction changes animals. Some this (>10%) was associated factors. For example, there were taxonomical differences — sperm motility declined lab rodents and fish, whereas size improved bulls, insects. methodological factors also important explaining heterogeneity: studies sampling larger proportion species’ lifespan more likely to detect traits, emphasising need full life cycle species document Contrary predictions, reveal that sporadic. Our findings will help generate novel hypotheses identify effective approaches studying

Language: Английский

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Effects of past mating behavior versus past ejaculation on male mate choice and male attractiveness

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(2)

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

Abstract Past reproductive effort allows males to assess their ability acquire mates, but it also consumes resources that can reduce future competitive ability. Few studies have examined how a male’s history affects his subsequent mate choice, and, date, no study has determined the relative contribution of past mating behavior and ejaculate production because these two forms investment are naturally highly correlated. Here, we disentangled effects in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) by experimentally preventing some from ejaculating when trying mate. We assessed effect on choice comparing had previously been with or without access females male rivals for 8 16 weeks ejaculation either could not they weeks. Reproductive treatment did affect attractiveness, choice. Somewhat surprisingly, five six treatment-by-age at testing combinations, preferred female vicinity rival over solitary female. This preference was marginally stronger engaged were unaffected production. discuss potential benefits associating another seeking mates. is first quantify influence pre- post-copulatory

Language: Английский

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Transcriptome analysis reveals the pheromone synthesis mechanism and mating response in Monochamus saltuarius (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 105975 - 105975

Published: June 5, 2024

Language: Английский

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Meta‐analytical evidence that males prefer virgin females

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: Nov. 21, 2023

Abstract Males are often predicted to prefer virgin over non‐virgin females because of the reduced risk sperm competition. Does this prediction hold across studies? Our systematic meta‐analysis 138 studies, mainly conducted in invertebrates, confirms that males generally females. However, preferred even species with last male precedence, suggesting competition alone does not drive preferences. Furthermore, our results suggest may reject mated when no alternative exists. Preference for virgins is unlikely influence female reproductive success since virginity cannot be selected for, but strong preference could swamp or reinforce selection on other traits. add growing evidence indiscriminate mating. given unexplained heterogeneity effect sizes, we urge caution assuming will and recommend considering natural context mating decisions.

Language: Английский

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Absence of female preference and the origin of a unisexual species, the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa)

Ethology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 130(8)

Published: May 10, 2024

Abstract The role of hybridization as a formative process in evolution has received much attention the past few decades. A particularly fascinating outcome hybrid speciation is formation asexual species. Amazon molly ( Poecilia formosa ) such and originated from P. mexicana mother latipinna father. Consequently, heterospecific mating must have occurred leading to molly, indicating breakdown any potential prezygotic isolation between parental Here we studied female mate preferences extant several populations using standard binary choice tests with males both sexual species that were matched for size. can be crossed lab, however, offspring are not asexual, but F 1 s. In our study, generated s tested their against males. Overall, results show no preference conspecific was detectable. matings possible hindered by apparent behavioral isolation. If these comparable around time ca. 100,000 years ago, hybrids would very likely. females also discernable either or Such lack could potentially lead 2 individuals, backcrosses, introgression.

Language: Английский

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Strength of female mate preferences in temperature manipulation study supports the signal reliability hypothesis

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(6), P. e0303691 - e0303691

Published: June 6, 2024

Both sexually selected traits and mate preferences for these can be context dependent, yet how variation in preferred could select dependent has rarely been examined. The signal reliability hypothesis predicts that vary across contexts (e.g., environments) relation to the of information provide those contexts. Extensive copy number mc4r B alleles on Y-chromosome associates with male size Xiphophorus multilineatus allowed us use a split-sibling design determine if is more likely about genotype (i.e., dam) when males were reared warm as compared cold environment. We then examined strength preference by females same two environments. found larger environment, but was variable dams therefore would reliable indicator dam genetics) Females environment had stronger based than females, significant influence preference. Therefore, female influenced temperature which they reared, direction difference treatments supporting hypothesis. Understanding contextual will further our discovery adaptive preferences. For example, relationship between female’s their growth rates detected where size, from previous work this species disassortative mating mitigate documented growth-mortality tradeoff.

Language: Английский

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