Variation in body size in the giant rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus is mediated by maternal effects on egg size

摘要: 1. The egg size of insects can vary depending on maternal body or resource status, and it may influence offspring by determining initial level. 2. giant rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus exhibits considerable variation in size, some which is attributed to the larval food (humus) quality, although a substantial amount remains unexplained. In present study, changes response several variables were examined (i.e. age, and, nutritional status). 3. Nutritional intake females during adult stage did not affect size. Larvae hatched from small eggs partially recovered disadvantage their ontogenetic processes increasing growth rate compensatory growth); however, there was still positive relationship between pupal size. 4. Older produced eggs, but because growth, pupae no longer small. By contrast, due lack as well pupae. 5. These results suggest that affects through effects This transgenerational effect account for T. dichotomus.