TY - JOUR
T1 - Low cost of reproduction in female stalk eyed flies, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni
AU - Reguera, Piedad
AU - Pomiankowski, Andrew
AU - Fowler, Kevin
AU - Chapman, Tracey
PY - 2004/1
Y1 - 2004/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2003.10.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2003.10.004
M3 - Article
SN - 1879-1611
VL - 50
SP - 103
EP - 108
JO - Journal of Insect Physiology
JF - Journal of Insect Physiology
IS - 1
ER -