Journal
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
Volume 60, Issue 2, Pages 131-136Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00265-005-0149-x
Keywords
sperm competition; offensive role; defensive role; male genitalia; Onthophagus taurus
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Sperm competition is predicted to generate opposing selection pressures on males. On one hand, selection should favour 'defensive' adaptations that protect a male's ejaculate from displacement, while, on the other hand, selection should favour 'offensive' adaptations that overcome paternity assurance mechanisms of rivals. Here, we use the sterile male technique to assess sperm precedence when a male dung beetle Onthophagus taurus mates in both a defensive (first male) and an offensive (second male) role. Significant variation in a male's sperm precedence (both P-1 and P-2) was detected, and an individual's defensive (P-1) and offensive (P-2) abilities were positively correlated. Thus, it appears that sexual selection simultaneously selects for 'defensive' and 'offensive' adaptations in O. taurus. We discuss a variety of male traits in O. taurus that potentially contribute to a male's ability to be successful when mating in an 'offensive' and a 'defensive' role.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available