Female mediation of competitive fertilization success in Drosophila melanogaster

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300954110
• Publication Date: 2013-06-12T01:14:26Z
• Authors: Stefan Lüpold; Scott Pitnick; Kirstin S. Berben; Cecilia S. Blengini; John M. Belote; Mollie K. Manier
• Keywords: Female sperm storage; Polyspermy; Antagonistic Coevolution

How females store and use sperm after remating can generate postcopulatory sexual selection on male ejaculate traits. Variation in performance traits generally is thought to be intrinsic males but likely interact with the environment which compete (e.g., female reproductive tract). Our understanding of contributions competitive fertilization success limited, however, part because challenges involved observing events within tract internally fertilizing species while discriminating among from competing males. Here, we used crosses isogenic lines Drosophila melanogaster, each mated two genetically standardized (the first green- second red-tagged heads) demonstrate heritable variation interval, progeny production rate, sperm-storage organ morphology, a number performance, storage, handling We then multivariate analyses examine relationships between this female-mediated paternity. In particular, timing ejection excess second-male displaced first-male was variable and, by terminating process displacement, significantly influenced relative numbers for fertilization, consequently biased results that do not simply provide static arena competition rather play an active pivotal role processes. Resolving adaptive significance genetic mechanisms critical selection, conflict, coevolution