The effect of condition on mate searching speed and copulation frequency in the Cook Strait giant weta

摘要: Nutritional condition is important to the function and performance of several facets male reproduction such as searching for mates producing ejaculates. status should be success in Cook Strait giant weta (Deinacrida rugosa), a flightless orthopteran insect, which males invest considerable effort mate during scrambles transfer multiple ejaculates female partners single mating bout. In this study, we hypothesize that related nutritional thus predict better will: (1) more successful at finding female, (2) find her quickly, (3) cover distance per unit time their search (i.e., have greater speed). We also will spermatophores than starved males. Although found critical (e.g., speed) were not significantly affected by body condition, did discover spermatophore females was size interaction between condition. posit perhaps based on current perceived availability. conditon an factor determining expression sexually selected traits males; well-fed produce sexual ornaments larger poorly fed Most studies address hypothesis, however, focus species display potential then, if successful, ejaculate mate. contrast, could over long distances. Such scramble competition shown weta, where leg length trait. enormous insect (of conservation importance), pass (spermatophores) each mate; so expected copulation success. Our study supports but no evidence speed condition-dependent.