Low cost of reproduction in female stalk eyed flies, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni

Reguera, Piedad, Pomiankowski, Andrew, Fowler, Kevin and Chapman, Tracey (2004) Low cost of reproduction in female stalk eyed flies, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni. Journal of Insect Physiology, 50 (1). pp. 103-108. ISSN 1879-1611

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Abstract

We investigated the effect of exposure to males on female longevity and egg production in the stalk-eyed fly, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni. In this species, females typically mate several times each morning over a lifetime that can span several months. We hypothesised that high costs of mating with males would be incompatible with the life history of this species. We predicted that 1) female longevity costs of exposure to males would be low, and 2) that the magnitude of mating-induced fecundity increases in C. dalmanni, if present, would also be low. We tested the predictions by comparing the longevity and lifetime fecundity of virgin and mated females. In line with prediction 1), the longevity difference between virgin and fully reproductive females was small and of borderline significance. In line with prediction 2), egg production was not significantly higher in females continually exposed to males than for virgin females. Our results suggest that costs of reproduction resulting from exposure to males are low in species that mate promiscuously at high rates.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2010 13:38
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2024 10:02
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1221
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2003.10.004

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