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Sperm viability and sperm competition in insects.

F M Hunter1, T R Birkhead

  • 1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, Sheffield, United Kingdom. f.m.hunter@sheffield.ac.uk

Current Biology : CB
|January 31, 2002
PubMed
Summary

In insects, males in sperm competition scenarios (polyandrous species) show higher sperm viability than those without competition (monandrous species). This suggests sperm viability is a key adaptation for insect sperm competition.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Insect Ecology

Background:

  • Sperm quality is crucial for male reproductive success in vertebrates during sperm competition.
  • The role of sperm quality in insects, despite widespread sperm competition, remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sperm viability and the intensity of sperm competition in insects.
  • To test if sperm viability, measured as live sperm proportion, correlates with sperm competition.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of seven closely related insect species pairs.
  • Each pair included one monandrous (no sperm competition) and one polyandrous (sperm competition) species.
  • Sperm viability was assessed by measuring the proportion of live sperm in stored sperm.

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Main Results:

  • Polyandrous species consistently exhibited a higher proportion of live sperm compared to monandrous species.
  • Significant inter- and intraspecific variation in live sperm percentage was observed.
  • Sperm viability alone can influence male fertilization success.

Conclusions:

  • Sperm viability is a significant factor in insect reproductive success under sperm competition.
  • Higher sperm viability in polyandrous species suggests it is an adaptive trait for sperm competition.
  • Findings highlight sperm viability as part of a broader suite of male adaptations to sperm competition in insects.