Male alternative reproductive tactics and sperm competition: a meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 97(4), P. 1365 - 1388

Published: Feb. 28, 2022

ABSTRACT In many animal species, males may exhibit one of several discrete, alternative ways obtaining fertilisations, known as reproductive tactics (ARTs). Males exhibiting ARTs typically differ in the extent to which they invest traits that improve their mating success, or face sperm competition. This has led widespread prediction associated with a high competition risk, lower investment into competitiveness before mating, should more heavily after such large ejaculates and high‐quality sperm. However, despite studies investigating this question since 1990s, evidence for differences ejaculate between male is mixed, there been no quantitative summary field. Following systematic review literature, we performed meta‐analysis examining how testes size, number either low increase success. We obtained data from 92 67 species across kingdom. Our analyses showed fish facing risk had significantly larger (after controlling body size) than those risk. effect appears be due inappropriate use gonadosomatic index body‐size corrected measure investment, overestimates difference most cases. found significant different ARTs, regardless whether were measured stores following ejaculation. also exception adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content fish. Finally, post‐mating was not influenced by flexible, frequency sneakers population. Overall, our results suggest that, clear theoretical predictions, little substantially species. The incongruence empirical could explained if ( i ) models fail account overall resource levels fundamental trade‐offs traits, ii often do reflect accurately affect fertilisation

Language: Английский

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Sperm competition and fertilization mode in fishes

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1813), P. 20200074 - 20200074

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

Sperm competition is a powerful selective force that has shaped sexual traits throughout animal evolution. Yet, how fertilization mode (i.e. external versus internal fertilization) influences the scope and potential for sperm to act on ejaculates remains unclear. Here, I examine shapes ejaculatory responses in fishes, diverse group constitute majority of vertebrate biological diversity. Fishes are an ideal this examination because they exhibit wide range reproductive behaviours unparalleled number transitions compared any other group. Drawing data from cartilaginous bony first show rates multiple paternity higher internally than externally fertilizing contrary prevailing expectation. then summarize acts quality highlighting where theoretical predictions differ between these groups. Differences respond modes most apparent when considering size swimming performance. Clarifying evolutionary will inform our understanding ejaculate evolution across tree life. This article part theme issue ‘Fifty years competition’.

Language: Английский

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Genetically identical mice express alternative reproductive tactics depending on social conditions in the field

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2019)

Published: March 20, 2024

In many species, establishing and maintaining a territory is critical to survival reproduction, an animal's ability do so strongly influenced by the presence density of competitors. Here we manipulate social conditions study alternative reproductive tactics displayed genetically identical, age-matched laboratory mice competing for territories under ecologically realistic environmental conditions. We introduced adult males females mouse strain C57BL/6J into large, outdoor field enclosure containing defendable resource zones one two first created low-density environment, such that number available exceeded males. After established stable territories, pulse intruder observed resulting defensive invasive employed. response this change in with large invested more patrolling but were less effective at excluding as compared small territories. Intruding failed establish tactic featuring greater exploration identical territorial Alternative did not lead equal success-males acquired experienced had access females.

Language: Английский

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Indirect evidence of an early mating advantage in wild cooperatively breeding male banded mongooses

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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No evidence of negative frequency-dependent selection in alternative reproductive tactics in a bulb mite

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 123048 - 123048

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Strategic use of male alternative reproductive tactics in cooperatively breeding banded mongoose groups

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) allow less competitive individuals to reproduce by avoiding direct fights through sneaky strategies. Within cooperatively breeding groups ARTs are rarely reported, potentially owing observational difficulties or suppression group members. In societies where mating opportunities cannot be monopolized one male, young males could use as an intermediate ‘stepping-stone’ tactic gain limited success while growing in resource-holding potential (RHP). Using decades of pedigree, weight, demography and behavioural data, we investigated the ‘sneaker’ wild male banded mongooses. this species, typically contain more adult than females, leading intense male–male competition. Instead a stepping-stone, sneaking were used who had been displaced from mate-guarding status stronger rivals. Additionally, sneakers lower siring compared with mate guards, despite similar weight loss costs, which may explain why avoided activity entirely rather sneaking. However, access older, higher fecundity females even facilitate inbreeding avoidance. Overall, stable social can predictively emerge changes relative RHP over lifetime.

Language: Английский

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Male reproductive tactics in house mice: Consistent individual differences, intrinsic factors and density effects

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 12, 2025

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) describe non-reversible or flexible alternative strategies that secure fertilization. For example, some male defend territories with females while others attempt sneaky matings. Often, ARTs are considered to be status-dependent and explained by differences in mass competitive ability. However, most studies on only approximate their fitness effect, ignore males never reproduced consider status (e.g. weight) as the sole mediator of ARTs. We used 244 mice, Mus musculus domesticus, from semi-natural populations, Musculus for first time. followed throughout life categorized them territorials roamers over multiple monthly intervals, after validating our method assigning detailed spatial data. explored if tactic choice is repeatable, whether social and/or intrinsic factors predict transitions between tactics, tested physiological Tactic was but switched flexibly tactics. associated mass, age, operational sex ratio population size. Territorials had a higher probability reproduction, lower gonadosomatic index. Our results reveal personality component ARTs, confirm equal mean among suggest multifaceted decision under various selective pressures.

Language: Английский

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Warm waters undermine cryptic female choice

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 16, 2025

Abstract Reproduction is often more thermally sensitive than survival. Thus, understanding the thermal sensitivity of reproductive interactions crucial given global warming. However, it unknown how temperature influences female control over fertilization after mating ( i.e., cryptic choice). We tested temperatures relevant to current conditions and climate change projections influence choice in a marine fish, Symphodus ocellatus . Under typical conditions, females bias dynamics favor dominant males. find that warmer decrease on sperm velocity reduce expected paternity Our results demonstrate can shift balance between mate male-male competition. may sexual selection, leading evolutionary changes traits.

Language: Английский

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Fifty years of sperm competition: the structure of a scientific revolution

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1813), P. 20200060 - 20200060

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

Language: Английский

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Ultimate drivers of forced extra-pair copulations in birds lacking a penis: jackdaws as a case-study

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Forced copulation is common, presumably because it can increase male reproductive success. extra-pair (FEPC) occurs in birds, even though most species lack a penis and are widely thought to require female cooperation for fertilization. How FEPC persists, despite presumed of siring success likely non-negligible costs the male, unknown. Using jackdaw (Corvus monedula) as case study, we use SNPs quantify paternity rate through evaluate explanations persistence without penis. We then collate evidence across penis-lacking birds. Combining genetic behavioural analyses, our study suggests that maintenance jackdaws provides selective advantage males or relic. Our literature review shows birds lacking penis, taxonomically widespread, yet, little known about its evolution. A broader implementation approach used here, combining both data, may shed light on why this widespread sexual behaviour persists. Additional work necessary understand whether needed forced FEPC.

Language: Английский

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