Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20346
• Publication Date: 2014-11-27T04:55:45Z
• Authors: Emily R.A. Cramer; Terje Laskemoen; Even Stensrud; Melissah Rowe; Fredrik Haas; Jan T. Lifjeld; Glenn‐Peter Sætre; Arild Johnsen
• Keywords: Repeatability; Trait

ABSTRACT Sperm performance is likely to be an important determinant of male reproductive success, especially when females copulate with multiple males. Understanding sperm therefore crucial fully understand the evolution strategies. In this study, we examined repeatability morphology and motility measures over three breeding seasons, studied relationships between function. We conducted study in wild‐derived captive house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) Spanish P. hispaniolensis ). Results for two species were similar. As predicted from results other passerine species, total length was highly repeatable across ejaculates, components moderate. The swimming speed ejaculates lower, but statistically significant, suggesting that velocity may a relatively dynamic trait. Surprisingly, did not correlate relative midpiece, it correlated negatively flagellum length. This pattern opposite what theory predicts differs has been found before. Also contrary previous work, no evidence correlates longevity. These highlight need better understanding function birds. J. Morphol. 276:370–377, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.