Negative phenotypic and genetic associations between copulation duration and longevity in male seed beetles

Brown, E. A., Gay, L., Vasudev, Ram , Tregenza, T., Eady, Paul and Hosken, D. J. (2009) Negative phenotypic and genetic associations between copulation duration and longevity in male seed beetles. Heredity, 103 (4). pp. 340-345. ISSN 0018-067X

Full content URL: http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v103/n4/abs/hdy2...

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Negative phenotypic and genetic associations between copulation duration and longevity in male seed beetles
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Abstract

Reproduction can be costly and is predicted to trade-off against other characters. However, while these trade-offs are well documented for females, there has been less focus on aspects of male reproduction. Furthermore, those studies that have looked at males typically only investigate phenotypic associations, with the underlying genetics often ignored. Here, we report on phenotypic and genetic trade-offs in male reproductive effort in the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. We find that the duration of a male's first copulation is negatively associated with subsequent male survival, phenotypically and genetically. Our results are consistent with life-history theory and suggest that like females, males trade-off reproductive effort against longevity.

Additional Information:Reproduction can be costly and is predicted to trade-off against other characters. However, while these trade-offs are well documented for females, there has been less focus on aspects of male reproduction. Furthermore, those studies that have looked at males typically only investigate phenotypic associations, with the underlying genetics often ignored. Here, we report on phenotypic and genetic trade-offs in male reproductive effort in the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. We find that the duration of a male's first copulation is negatively associated with subsequent male survival, phenotypically and genetically. Our results are consistent with life-history theory and suggest that like females, males trade-off reproductive effort against longevity.
Keywords:mating costs, Callosobruchus, heritability, genetic correlation
Subjects:C Biological Sciences > C400 Genetics
C Biological Sciences > C182 Evolution
C Biological Sciences > C100 Biology
Divisions:College of Science > School of Life Sciences
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ID Code:4319
Deposited On:26 Mar 2011 22:41

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