How sperm competition shapes the evolution of testes and sperm: a meta-analysis

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1813), P. 20200064 - 20200064

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

Females of many species mate with multiple males, thereby inciting competition among ejaculates from rival males for fertilization. In response to increasing sperm competition, are predicted enhance their investment in production. This prediction is so widespread that testes size (correcting body size) commonly used as a proxy even the absence any other information about species' reproductive behaviour. By contrast, debate whether selects smaller or larger has persisted nearly three decades, empirical studies demonstrating every possible response. Here, we synthesize 40 years research meta-analytical framework determine how evolution number (i.e. and head, midpiece, flagellum total length) influenced by varying levels across species. Our findings support long-held assumption higher associated relatively testes. We also find clear evidence increases all components length. discuss these results context different theoretical predictions general patterns breeding biology selective environment sperm. article part theme issue ‘Fifty competition’.

Language: Английский

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Sperm form and function: what do we know about the role of sexual selection?

Reproduction, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 155(5), P. R229 - R243

Published: Feb. 20, 2018

Sperm morphological variation has attracted considerable interest and generated a wealth of predominantly descriptive studies over the past three centuries. Yet, apart from biophysical linking sperm morphology to swimming velocity, surprisingly little is known about adaptive significance form selective processes underlying its tremendous diversification throughout animal kingdom. Here, we first discuss challenges examining in an evolutionary context why our understanding it far complete. Then, review empirical evidence for how sexual selection theory applies evolution function, including putative secondary traits borne by sperm.

Language: Английский

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Fertilization mode drives sperm length evolution across the animal tree of life

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(8), P. 1153 - 1164

Published: June 21, 2021

Language: Английский

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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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Effects of nutrient limitation on sperm and seminal fluid: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 94(5), P. 1722 - 1739

Published: June 19, 2019

Theory predicts that costly sexual traits should be reduced when individuals are in poor condition (i.e. exhibit condition-dependent expression). It is therefore widely expected male ejaculate traits, such as sperm and seminal fluid, will quantity quality dietary nutrients limited. However, reported patterns of dependence highly variable, there has been no comprehensive synthesis underlying sources variation responses. In particular, it remains unclear whether all equally sensitive to nutrient intake, particularly certain nutrients, respond more strongly during specific life stages, or some taxonomic groups. We systematically reviewed these potential through a meta-analysis across 50 species arthropods vertebrates (from 71 papers 348 effect sizes). found overall, moderately limited, but we also detected substantial Seminal fluid was consistently dependent, while dependent. By contrast, aspects (particularly viability morphology) were less under limitation. Ejaculate tended manner wide range manipulations, especially caloric protein restriction. Finally, major taxa for which sufficient data exist arthropods, mammals, fish) showed differences the stage most limitation, degree traits. Together, biologically relevant factors accounted nearly 20% total variance responses Interestingly, body size considerably stronger compared suggesting trait expression may canalised protect important reproductive functions, cost producing an relatively low. Taken together, our findings show condition-dependence taxonomically widespread, many interesting, require further investigation. research needed understand selective pressures result differential

Language: Английский

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How do freshwater fish sperm find the egg? The physicochemical factors guiding the gamete encounters of externally fertilizing freshwater fish

Reviews in Aquaculture, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 12(2), P. 1165 - 1192

Published: Aug. 13, 2019

Abstract The lifespan of spermatozoa from externally fertilizing freshwater fish ranges a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the species. External factors, such as temperature, background flows and ion composition, play an important role in fertilization success. Specific mechanisms guiding appear be essential maximize sperm–egg encounter under these strenuous conditions. Although some existing data support hypothesis that both ovarian fluid eggs may release chemoattractants significantly affect behaviour outcome, this is still open debate, existence chemotaxis has yet demonstrated; addition, specific supporting guidance gamete selection have not been elucidated. Is natural gametes determined by combination different physicochemical phenomena? Alternatively, species‐specific biased towards their landscape? These questions received more attention new studies revealed potential, distinct reproduction. In review, we discuss empirical hypotheses about highlight synergistic experiments biomathematical modelling explore questions. Finally, challenges understanding behind sperm species, suppose knowledge underlie species elucidate impact traditional aquaculture practice artificial progeny quality sustainability.

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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Large-brained frogs mature later and live longer

Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 72(5), P. 1174 - 1183

Published: April 3, 2018

Brain sizes vary substantially across vertebrate taxa, yet, the evolution of brain size appears tightly linked to life histories. For example, larger brained species generally live longer than smaller species. A requires more time grow and develop at a cost exceeded gestation period delayed weaning age. The slower development may be compensated by better homeostasis control increased cognitive abilities, both which should increase survival probabilities hence span. To date, this relationship between span seems well established in homoeothermic animals, especially mammals. Whether pattern occurs also other clades vertebrates remains enigmatic. Here, we undertake first comparative test an ectothermic group, anuran amphibians. After controlling for effects shared ancestry body size, find positive correlation age sexual maturation, 40 frogs. Moreover, that ventral regions, including olfactory bulbs, are long-lived Our results indicate history follows general clades.

Language: Английский

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Fertilization mode differentially impacts the evolution of vertebrate sperm components

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Nov. 10, 2022

Abstract Environmental change frequently drives morphological diversification, including at the cellular level. Transitions in environment where fertilization occurs (i.e., mode) are hypothesized to be a driver of extreme diversity sperm morphology observed animals. Yet how mode impacts evolution components—head, midpiece, and flagellum—each with different functional roles that must act as an integrated unit remains unclear. Here, we test this hypothesis by examining component lengths across 1103 species vertebrates varying (external vs. internal fertilization). Sperm length is explained part vertebrates, but influences varies among components vertebrate clades. We also identify evolutionary responses not influenced mode: midpieces evolve rapidly both external fertilizers. Fertilization thus through complex component- clade-specific responses.

Language: Английский

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Body mass variation is negatively associated with brain size: Evidence for the fat‐brain trade‐off in anurans

Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 74(7), P. 1551 - 1557

Published: May 4, 2020

Species can evolve diverse strategies to survive periods of uncertainty. Animals may either invest in energy storage, allowing them decrease foraging costs, such as locomotion or risk predation, they better cognitive abilities helping flexibly adapt their behavior meet novel challenges. Here, we test this idea a fat-brain trade-off 38 species Chinese anurans by relating the coefficient variation body mass (CVbodymass ; an indicator how much animals into storage over season) brain anatomical features. After correcting for shared ancestry and mass, found negative relationship between relative size CVbodymass . This indicates that seem physiological buffering during shortages. As similar patterns have been reported arboreal mammals primates our findings suggest trade-off, where harsh conditions, be general pattern across vertebrates.

Language: Английский

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