The effects of male mating history on the mating behavior and fecundity of the female seed beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)

• Main Authors: Li Yi Chian, 李依倩
• Other Authors: Shwu-Bin Horng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/18925307006141631528

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 昆蟲學研究所 === 91 === The effect of mating history of the male seed beetle on the mating behavior and fecundity of the adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) was studied. The results showed that the mating probability and fecundity declined with increasing the male mating history, while the mating duration increased with increasing the mating history. These results would be due to the ejaculate of the male were limited. The increase of male mating history decreases ejaculate size of the male and thus the mating probability of the male decreases. This also showed that the male and/or the female would prolong mating duration when mating history of the male increased. The result of the effect of mating history on the female remating and fecundity showed that female remating interval and the male mating history was negatively correlated. This may be due to the male that mated many times could not provide enough ejaculate and nutrient to the female, and thus the female would increase her tendency to remate with other males. In the experiment of the effect of the mating history of males at different ages on the mating and fecundity, we showed that the male mating history did not affect the mating duration. But fecundity of females that mated with males with increasing mating history were significantly decreased. Therefore, although the ejaculate size of the male is relatively small, it is still very important for the fecundity of female seed beetle. It is suggested that the female may increase mating duration or decrease remating interval to get enough ejaculate, while the male may increase mating duration to produce and transfer the female more ejaculate. We also showed that the loss of ejaculate of male via mating can recover during a longer mating interval. Since the virgin male did not exhibit a higher mating probability, when competed with the male of multiple mating, it is concluded that females did not evolve to prefer virgin male that can offer larger ejaculate.