Ejaculate evolution in external fertilizers: Influenced by sperm competition or sperm limitation?

Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 72(1), P. 4 - 17

Published: Oct. 4, 2017

The evolution of sperm quality and quantity is shaped by various selective processes, with competition generally considered the primary agent. Particularly in external fertilizers, however, limitation through gamete dispersal can also influence investments, but empirical data examining this effect are limited. Here, we studied relative importance spawning conditions explaining macroevolutionary patterns size number within two taxa fertilization differences their reproductive biology. In frogs, swim slowly for up to hours as they penetrate gelatinous egg coating, whereas fish typically fast, very short‐lived (seconds minutes), often face a relatively higher risk being moved away from ova currents. Our phylogenetic models path analyses revealed different trajectories ejaculate these taxa. Sperm responded primarily variation anurans, more strongly water turbulence fishes. Whereas results across anurans align general expectation that sexual selection main driver evolution, our findings fishes suggest has been underappreciated.

Language: Английский

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Age-related changes in sperm traits and evidence for aging costs of sperm production in a sexually promiscuous passerine

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Feb. 14, 2023

In many animal species, organismal performance declines with age in a process known as aging or senescence. Senescence typically leads to deterioration of physiological functionality and can impact the development primary sexual phenotypes. Sperm production is complex costly that sensitive changes individual state, yet remarkably little about age-related sperm costs production. Here we use non-linear generalized additive mixed models (GAMM) modelling evaluate postcopulatory traits European barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica ), relatively short lived sexually promiscuous passerine where male extra-pair fertilization success has been shown increase age. We confirmed positive relationship between midpiece length velocity this species. Within-male morphology were general absent, only decreasing linearly increasing age, although change was negligible compared overall variation size among males. contrast, cloacal protuberance (CP) changed nonlinearly an initial first third year life followed by plateau. The results further indicate existence trade-off investments survival males large CP tended have reduced lifespan. This seems consistent idea expensive associated post-copulatory

Language: Английский

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Brain size evolution in anurans: a review

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 69(3), P. 265 - 279

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Abstract Selection pressure is an important force in shaping the evolution of vertebrate brain size among populations within species as well between species. The tightly linked to natural and sexual selection, life-history traits. In particular, increased environmental stress, intensity slower life history usually result enlarged brains. However, although previous studies have addressed causes evolution, no systematic reviews been conducted explain anurans. Here, we review whether supports cognitive buffer hypothesis (CBH), expensive tissue (ETH), or developmental cost (DCH) by analyzing intraspecific and/or interspecific patterns regions (i.e., olfactory nerves, bulbs, telencephalon, optic tectum, cerebellum) associated with ecological factors (habitat, diet predator risk), selection intensity, traits (age at maturity, mean age, longevity, clutch egg size, testis sperm length), other energetic organs. Our findings suggest that anurans CBH, ETH DCH. We also future directions for studying relationships crypsis ordinary mucous glands skin), food alteration different stages.

Language: Английский

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Altitudinal variation in somatic condition and reproductive investment of male Yunnan pond frogs (Dianrana pleuraden)

Zoologischer Anzeiger, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 266, P. 189 - 195

Published: Dec. 28, 2016

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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Variation in somatic condition and testis mass in Feirana quadranus along an altitudinal gradient

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 68(3), P. 277 - 288

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Abstract The competition for fertilization among sperm from different males can drive variation in male reproductive investments. However, the mechanisms shaping allocation and resulting variations investment relative to environmental variables such as resource availability male-male remain poorly known frogs. Here, we investigated inter-population somatic condition testis mass across four populations of swelled vent frog Feirana quadranus along an altitudinal gradient. We found that did not increase with altitude, which was inconsistent previous predictions latitude and/or altitude should result decreased production anurans due shortened breeding seasons decline availability. also no male/female operational sex ratio altitude. exhibited a positive correlation mass, indicated condition-dependent size F. . Moreover, increasing suggest increased intensity competition, thereby mass.

Language: Английский

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Brain size in Hylarana guentheri seems unaffected by variation in temperature and growth season

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 67(3-4), P. 209 - 225

Published: Jan. 1, 2017

Brain size varies dramatically between vertebrate species. Two prominent adaptive hypotheses – the Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis (CBH) and Expensive (EBH) have been proposed to explain brain evolution. The CBH assumes that should increase with seasonality, as cognitive benefits of a larger help overcoming periods food scarcity via, for example, increased behavioral flexibility. Alternatively, EBH states decrease seasonality because smaller confers energetic in scarcity. Here, test two by studying effects variation temperature growth season on variations overall specific regions ( viz . olfactory nerves, bulbs, telencephalon, optic tectum cerebellum) among Hylarana guentheri populations. Inconsistent predictions both CBH, did not exhibit correlations across Hence, our data do provide support either or H. Furthermore, differ males females this Our findings suggest shape

Language: Английский

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Geographical variation in limb muscle mass of the Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi)

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 67(1), P. 17 - 28

Published: Jan. 1, 2017

Muscles are vital for the process of movement, mating and escape predators in amphibians. During evolution, morphological genetic characteristics as well size muscles species will change to adapt different environments. Theory predicts that low male-male competition high-altitude/latitude selects small limb muscles. Here, we used Andrew’s toad ( Bufo andrewsi ) a model animal test this prediction by analyzing geographical variation mass across nine populations from Hengduan Mountains China. Inconsistent with prediction, found latitude altitude did not affect relative total combined hindlimb among populations. Meanwhile, forelimb muscles, two (flexor carpi radialis extensor radialis) four (e.g. biceps femoris, semimebranous, semitendinosus peroneus) was lowest middle largest whereas gracilis minor high latitudes. However, find any correlations between altitude. Our findings suggest flexor radialis, peroneus latitudes due pressures mate competition.

Language: Английский

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Altitudinal implications in organ size in the Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi)

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 69(3), P. 365 - 376

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Abstract Phenotypic flexibility of morphological and physiological traits within species is a common phenomenon across animal taxa. Hesse’s rule predicts that the size an organ should exhibit increase with increasing altitude along environmental gradients due to changes in oxygen supply energy demands. Here, we test prediction by investigating geographical variation relative organs (i.e., heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) ten populations Bufo andrewsi gradient. We found these four specific did not or latitude all populations. also find increased among six located at similar longitude, which inconsistent rule. Our findings suggest demands do necessarily affect

Language: Английский

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Digestive tract length is positively correlated with altitude across Fejervarya limnocharis populations

Animal Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 67(3-4), P. 227 - 237

Published: Jan. 1, 2017

In animals, the amount of nutrients acquired through foraging and proportion metabolisable energy gained is reflected in digestive tract length. This digestion theory predicts that consumption food with high content indigestible material will lead to increased gut dimensions. Here, we analyzed geographic variation length related diet among 14 Fejervarya limnocharis populations test theory. Relative significantly differed between males females populations. The relative altitude. We also found a positive correlation plant for both sexes, which consistent prediction Our findings suggest temperature associated altitude affects composition, and, thereby ultimately morphology individuals.

Language: Английский

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