Article

The effect of an inversion system and the time interval between matings on postcopulatory sexual selection in the seaweed fly, Coelopa frigida

Details

Citation

Blyth JE & Gilburn A (2005) The effect of an inversion system and the time interval between matings on postcopulatory sexual selection in the seaweed fly, Coelopa frigida. Heredity, 95 (2), pp. 174-178. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.hdy.6800713

Abstract
The seaweed fly, Coelopa frigida, exhibits LMSP. A large chromosomal inversion system affects many traits including egg-to-adult viability via heterosis. Consequently, there is also considerable potential for cryptic female mate choice to operate on the basis of sperm karyotype. Here, we investigated the effect of time interval and chromosomal inversion karyotype on postcopulatory sexual selection. Homokaryotypic females were mated with a male of the same and a male of the opposite homokaryotype. The order of the matings was varied so cryptic female mate choice could operate either in concert or antagonistically with LMSP. LMSP was found when there was a 24 h time interval between matings, irrespective of the order in which the males were mated. However, when the males were mated in quick succession the order of mating was important. When LMSP and cryptic female mate choice work in concert a high level of LMSP was found. However, when the male of opposite homokaryotype mated first, then first male sperm precedence was observed. This suggests that polyandrous females might be able to bias paternity but only when matings occur in quick succession. Consequently, population density is likely to affect the operation of postcopulatory sexual selection.

Keywords
sperm competition; cryptic female mate choice; heterosis; chromosomal inversion system

Journal
Heredity: Volume 95, Issue 2

StatusPublished
Publication date31/08/2005
Publication date online06/07/2005
PublisherNature Publishing Group for the Genetics Society and the Genetics Society of Great Britain
ISSN0018-067X

People (1)

People

Dr Andre Gilburn

Dr Andre Gilburn

Senior Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences