Immune stress and diet influence reproductive fitness in male tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) DOI Creative Commons
Sarah K. Lamar, Diane K. Ormsby, Nicola J. Nelson

et al.

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(6), P. 786 - 794

Published: April 3, 2024

Abstract The theoretical trade-off between immune and endocrine investment in mating animals has received mixed empirical support, particularly reptiles. We investigated the relationship male sexual characteristics, diet, response to stress an island population of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) across two seasons. Tuatara are promiscuous, with a highly skewed system where males face significant competition for access mates postcopulatory fertilization success. found that sperm viability swim speed were negatively associated body condition ratio heterophils lymphocytes. Additionally, was spine area, mite load, total number circulating white blood cells, but positively tick number. This is likely function social dynamics this larger size predicts greater spatial overlap potential rivals increased load. Because production characteristics may be costly, we also effect diet on quality. did not identify association viability. However, carbon-13 nitrogen-15. suspect these results reflect influence seabird-based nutrients ecosystem, polyunsaturated fatty acid, antioxidant damage sperm. In total, provide evidence pre- post-copulatory systems tuatara.

Language: Английский

Sperm: Comparative Vertebrate DOI

Peter Temple‐Smith,

Nicola Rivers

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Novel mating behaviours in male tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) expand our understanding of reptile courtship DOI Creative Commons
Sarah K. Lamar, Diane K. Ormsby, Nicola J. Nelson

et al.

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Observations of reptile courting and mating behaviour are relatively scant in the literature. Here, using largest sample observed attempts matings tuatara ( Sphenodon punctatus ) ever published, we describe novel behaviours this rare species: mirrored head bobbing between pairs, purring vocalizations by displaying males, several potential instances anejaculation otherwise normal matings. These results highlight complexity displays have implications for how manage vulnerable species.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Immune stress and diet influence reproductive fitness in male tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) DOI Creative Commons
Sarah K. Lamar, Diane K. Ormsby, Nicola J. Nelson

et al.

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(6), P. 786 - 794

Published: April 3, 2024

Abstract The theoretical trade-off between immune and endocrine investment in mating animals has received mixed empirical support, particularly reptiles. We investigated the relationship male sexual characteristics, diet, response to stress an island population of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) across two seasons. Tuatara are promiscuous, with a highly skewed system where males face significant competition for access mates postcopulatory fertilization success. found that sperm viability swim speed were negatively associated body condition ratio heterophils lymphocytes. Additionally, was spine area, mite load, total number circulating white blood cells, but positively tick number. This is likely function social dynamics this larger size predicts greater spatial overlap potential rivals increased load. Because production characteristics may be costly, we also effect diet on quality. did not identify association viability. However, carbon-13 nitrogen-15. suspect these results reflect influence seabird-based nutrients ecosystem, polyunsaturated fatty acid, antioxidant damage sperm. In total, provide evidence pre- post-copulatory systems tuatara.

Language: Английский

Citations

0