Sperm Precedence in Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Temporal Variation Assessed by Neutral Markers

Authors: Roderick, George K.; de Mendoza, Laura Garcia; Dively, Galen P.; Follett, Peter A.

Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 96, Number 5, September 2003 , pp. 631-636(6)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Variation in sperm precedence was examined in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, using neutral allozyme markers. Two temporal components were studied: (1) pairing duration and (2) time since initial pairing. We used two pairing protocols that differed in the time males and females were allowed to mate for first and second pairings. When pairings were limited to 8 h each for the first and second male, the proportion of offspring in the xth egg mass attributable to the second male, P2(x), rose from 68% in the first egg mass after pairing with the second male to 78% in the tenth egg mass. When pairing was extended so that the first male-female pair had time to produce three egg masses and the second male was allowed to remain with the female indefinitely, P2(x) rose from 44% in the first egg mass after pairing with the second male to nearly 100% in the third and subsequent egg masses. Observations that (1) multiple matings are necessary to fill the female's spermatheca and (2) the last male accounts for a greater proportion of offspring with time, provide evidence for both the sperm mixing and sperm displacement hypotheses. These data also help to explain male-guarding behavior in Colorado potato beetle. Because the allozyme markers were shown to be neutral with respect to fitness, other aspects of mating behavior could be tested by establishing a similar series of unique lines.

Keywords: sperm competition; electrophoresis; gene flow

Document Type: Research article

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$28.00 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A