Promiscous female Euxesta eluta derive nutrients for ovarian development by expelling and consuming ejaculates.

摘要: Seminal gifts range from important material donations to items that provide little direct benefit females. Promiscuous, female silk corn flies Euxesta eluta expel and consume male ejaculates immediately after mating. The evolution function of this peculiar behavior are currently unknown. We performed a series experiments aimed to: determine if females under different dietary regimes derive nutrients or water for survival and/or reproduction ejaculate consumption, males suffer fitness cost supplying with ejaculates, prefer mate more likely store sperm well fed than nutritionally stressed presumably inferior males. Experiments revealed protein deprived E. ovarian development through consumption No seminal products affecting appear be transferred in the consumed ejaculate. However, development, contrast testes growth, occurs detriment longevity. Females preferred males, yet retention spermathecae was extremely rare single This finding suggests could exerting post copulatory control. A key question remained addressed understanding puzzling promiscuous mating system is what ecological factors traits drive retain one several order achieve maximize fertilization potential.