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Related Experiment Videos

Superior sperm competitors sire higher-quality young.

D J Hosken1, T W J Garner, T Tregenza

  • 1Zoology Museum, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland. hosken@zoolmus.unizh.ch

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 17, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Female multiple mating, or polyandry, may evolve if high-quality males sire superior offspring. In yellow dung flies, males successful in sperm competition sired offspring with faster development times, supporting this good sperm hypothesis.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Reproductive Strategies

Background:

  • The evolution of polyandry (females mating with multiple males) is debated due to costs and lack of increased fecundity for females.
  • Indirect benefit models propose polyandry can enhance offspring quality.
  • The 'good sperm hypothesis' suggests females gain advantages by mating with males who are superior sperm competitors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the 'good sperm hypothesis' in the context of polyandry.
  • To investigate if male success in sperm competition correlates with offspring quality in yellow dung flies (Scathophaga stercoraria).

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory experiment using yellow dung flies (Scathophaga stercoraria).
  • Assessed male success in sperm competition.

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  • Measured offspring development time and post-emergence starvation survival.

    • Main Results:

    • Males more successful in sperm competition sired offspring with significantly faster development times.
    • No correlation was found between paternal success in sperm competition and offspring starvation survival.
    • Faster development is likely advantageous for yellow dung flies in their natural environment.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings provide empirical support for the 'good sperm hypothesis' as an explanation for the evolution of polyandry.
    • Females may benefit from polyandry by increasing offspring quality through enhanced development rates via sperm competition.