How to translate text using browser tools
1 October 2006 MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE SPERM QUALITY ADVANTAGE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
James M. Pattarini, William T. Starmer, Adam Bjork, Scott Pitnick
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Contrary to early predictions of sperm competition theory, postcopulatory sexual selection favoring increased investment per sperm (e.g., sperm size, sperm quality) has been demonstrated in numerous organisms. We empirically demonstrate for Drosophila melanogaster that both sperm quality and sperm quantity independently contribute to competitive male fertilization success. In addition to these independent effects, there was a significant interaction between sperm quality and quantity that suggests an internal positive reinforcement on selection for sperm quality, with selection predicted to intensify as investment per sperm increases and the number of sperm competing declines. The mechanism underlying the sperm quality advantage is elucidated through examination of the relationship between female sperm-storage organ morphology and the differential organization of different length sperm within the organ. Our results exemplify that primary sex cells can bear secondary sexual straits.

James M. Pattarini, William T. Starmer, Adam Bjork, and Scott Pitnick "MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE SPERM QUALITY ADVANTAGE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER," Evolution 60(10), 2064-2080, (1 October 2006). https://doi.org/10.1554/06-142.1
Received: 7 March 2006; Accepted: 28 June 2006; Published: 1 October 2006
JOURNAL ARTICLE
17 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
cryptic female choice
postcopulatory sexual selection
sperm competition
Sperm quality
sperm size
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top