DEFENSE-MECHANISMS OF ARTHROPODS .115. POSTCOPULATORY SEXUAL SELECTION IN AN ARCTIID MOTH (UTETHEISA-ORNATRIX)

被引:116
作者
LAMUNYON, CW [1 ]
EISNER, T [1 ]
机构
[1] CORNELL UNIV, NEUROBIOL & BEHAV SECT, ITHACA, NY 14853 USA
关键词
SPERM PRECEDENCE; NUPTIAL GIFT; PARENTAL INVESTMENT; POLYANDRY; PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOID;
D O I
10.1073/pnas.90.10.4689
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
The offspring of twice-mated female Utetheisa ornatrix show low incidence of mixed paternity. Most progeny are sired exclusively by one male, the larger one, irrespective of parental age, male pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, mating order, between-mating interval, or duration of copulation. Data are presented suggesting that the female herself may exert control over the process by which one set of sperm is utilized at the expense of the other. Evidence for such postcopulatory female choice of sperm had not previously been obtained for an insect. Promiscuity provides the female with a means for accruing nuptial gifts (nutrients, defensive alkaloids). Sperm selection provides her with the option of utilizing sperm from larger, potentially more fit, males.
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页码:4689 / 4692
页数:4
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