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Copulatory wounding and traumatic insemination.
Klaus Reinhardt1, Nils Anthes1, Rolanda Lange2
1Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|April 17, 2015
Summary
Copulatory wounding (CW) involves physical harm during mating, presenting significant costs but also evolving into a mating strategy in some species. This sexual conflict can influence reproductive isolation and has potential medical implications for humans.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Sexual Selection
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Copulatory wounding (CW) is a widespread but underreported phenomenon in the animal kingdom.
- Existing research highlights interspecific variation in CW, but lacks data on intraspecific and individual differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological and life-history costs associated with copulatory wounding.
- To explore the evolution of CW as a routine mating strategy.
- To examine the role of CW in sexual conflict and reproductive isolation.
Main Methods:
- Review of four case studies: Drosophila flies, Siphopteron slugs, Cimex bugs, and Callosobruchus beetles.
- Analysis of existing literature on CW costs, defensive mechanisms, and evolutionary outcomes.
- Formulation of predictions regarding CW costs and reproductive isolation.
Main Results:
- CW incurs physiological and life-history costs, yet can evolve into a routine mating strategy, sometimes involving wound insemination.
- Mating costs in species with CW are slightly higher than in species without CW.
- Defensive mechanisms in recipients and the nature of costs (resistance vs. tolerance) influence evolutionary outcomes.
Conclusions:
- CW serves as a model for understanding sexual conflict and reproductive isolation.
- Predictions suggest occasional CW is costlier than routine CW, and inter-population matings are more costly.
- CW may influence the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and has potential human medical implications.