MALE SIZE INFLUENCES MATE FECUNDITY AND REMATING INTERVAL IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

Male size influences female remating behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster. Females remated rapidly when courted by large males, independent of the size of the previous mate. Size of first mate had no general influence upon female remating interval. Possible fitness consequences for females of the observed remating pattern were examined by comparing fecundity and fertility of females singly mated to males of varying size. Females mated to small males had higher fitness than females mated to large males, due to increased fecundity on the day of mating. The significance of these apparently conflicting observations is discussed with regard to male and female reproductive patterns. © 1991 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.