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Female Stick Insects Mate Multiply to Find Compatible Mates
Devin Arbuthnott1, Bernard J Crespi, Tanja Schwander
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195.
The American Naturalist
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Females often mate multiply, but why? This study on walking sticks found no direct benefits, but indirect genetic benefits via male-female compatibility improved offspring success, explaining this common mating strategy.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
Background:
- Polyandry (females mating with multiple males) is common, yet costly.
- Direct benefits (e.g., resources) don't fully explain this behavior.
- Indirect genetic benefits are hypothesized but poorly understood in natural systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate direct and indirect benefits of polyandry in the walking stick Timema cristinae.
- Determine the role of male-female genotypic interactions in reproductive success.
- Assess paternity bias and its correlation with offspring viability.
Main Methods:
- Experimental design to test for direct benefits (longevity, fecundity).
- Analysis of egg-hatching success and offspring production based on male-female genotypes.
- Paternity analysis to quantify mating success and bias.
Main Results:
- No direct benefits of polyandry on female longevity or fecundity were observed.
- Male × female genotypic interactions significantly influenced egg-hatching success and offspring production.
- Multiply mated females exhibited paternity bias, favoring specific males, which correlated with higher hatching success.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports indirect genetic benefits through compatibility effects in Timema cristinae polyandry.
- Females may enhance offspring viability by mating multiply to find compatible partners.
- Compatibility-based indirect benefits offer a mechanism for the evolution and maintenance of polyandry.
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