Male Derived Cuticular Hydrocarbons Signal Sperm Competition Intensity And Affect Ejaculate Expenditure In Crickets

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 02 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Multiple mating by females can have a significant affect on male mating decisions because a male's sperm will have to compete with another male's sperm for fertilization.

Using an innovative approach, this study investigates how males of the Australian field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus can determine a females mating history using chemical cues.

By experimentally coating live virgin females with chemical cues extracted from rival males, we were able to manipulate a male's perception of female mating status.

We show that males use these chemical cues to precisely assess how many males a female has previously copulated.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences