Sperm Morphology And Sperm Velocity In Passerine Birds

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Fertility
Article Date: 01 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PST

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When sperm from more than one male mix within the female reproductive tract and compete for access to the same egg(s), the faster swimming sperm often have a higher chance of fertilization.

Our data from 40 species of passerine birds show that sperm velocity increases with the size of those sperm components that generate sperm movement itself or produce the energy for it.

In line with theoretical predictions, these results indicate joint evolution between sperm form and function and provide an explanation for the enormous variation in sperm size and shape across birds and animals in general.

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