Mating Behavior of Daphnia: Impacts of Predation Risk, Food Quantity, and Reproductive Phase of Females

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104545
• Publication Date: 2014-08-11T18:21:26Z
• Authors: Geung-Hwan La; Jong-Yun Choi; Kwang-Hyeon Chang; Min-Ho Jang; Gea-Jae Joo; Hyun-Woo Kim
• Keywords: Sexing; Animal sexual behaviour; Sexual reproduction

High predation risk and food depletion lead to sexual reproduction in cyclically parthenogenetic Daphnia. Mating, the core of reproduction, also occurs under these conditions. Assessment environmental conditions alteration mating efforts may aid determining success reproduction. Here, we evaluated impacts risk, quantity, reproductive phase females on behavior Daphnia obtusa males including contact frequency duration using video analysis. Mating–related involved male–female (mating) as well male–male (fighting). Mating increased while unnecessary fighting decreased presence risk. In addition, low concentration reduced between males. Males attempted attach more than asexual females, occurred frequently females. Duration was relatively long; however, separated shortly after terms behavior. Thus, assessment factors primary sexing mates were performed before actual contact, possibly mechanically, precise sex discrimination conducted contact. These results suggest that is not a random process but rather balance energetic cost changes strategies.