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Ejaculate components delay reproductive senescence while elevating female reproductive rate in an insect.

Klaus Reinhardt¹, Richard A Naylor, Michael T Siva-Jothy

¹Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom. k.reinhardt@sheffield.ac.uk

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|December 10, 2009

Summary

In bedbugs, ejaculate components increase female reproduction and delay reproductive senescence, decoupling reproduction from lifespan costs. This research explores the evolutionary link between sexual conflict and aging.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Gerontology
Reproductive biology

Background:

Increased female reproduction often accelerates aging and senescence.
The evolutionary conflict between sexes may involve ejaculate components influencing female reproductive rates at the cost of longevity.
It remains unclear how ejaculate affects female reproductive senescence and trade-offs between reproduction and lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of ejaculate quantity on female reproductive rates and senescence in the bedbug, Cimex lectularius.
To determine if ejaculate components can decouple elevated female reproduction from accelerated aging or reproductive senescence.
To examine the specific parameters of reproductive senescence affected by ejaculate, such as onset, rate, and lifespan.

Main Methods:

Experimental manipulation of ejaculate quantity received by female bedbugs.
Monitoring of female reproductive rates, reproductive senescence onset and rate, and lifespan.
Analysis of ejaculate effects across inter- and intra-population crosses to assess evolutionary stability.

Main Results:

Females receiving more ejaculate exhibited increased reproductive rates and a delayed onset of reproductive senescence, independent of mating frequency.
The rate of reproductive senescence did not differ between treatments, and reproductive rates did not predict mortality.
Ejaculate effects were consistent across populations, suggesting ancient origins and ruling out recent inbreeding as a cause.

Conclusions:

Ejaculate components in bedbugs can compensate for the costs of elevated female reproduction by delaying the onset of reproductive senescence.
Male ejaculate influences female reproductive senescence, impacting trade-offs between reproduction and longevity.
These findings have implications for understanding somatic senescence and the evolution of reproductive strategies under sexual conflict.