Elucidating the function of ejaculate expulsion and consumption after copulation by female Euxesta bilimeki

摘要: Postcopulatory processes can influence male reproductive success in several animal species. Females use different mechanisms to bias paternity after copulation. One of such consists expelling all or part the ejaculate Euxesta bilimeki is an Ulidiid fly whose females not only frequently expel ejaculates mating but also consume expulsion. In order understand significance these behaviors we examined video recordings courtship, copulatory, and postcopulatory behaviours. The presence sperm female storage organs was confirmed with males sizes correlated duration copulation, period from end copulation effect consumption on fitness (fecundity longevity) compared among held under dietary treatments: a rich diet consisting protein, sugar water, intermediate composed poor water that were completely deprived food water. All observed expelled mating. probability storing two spermathecae ventral receptacle interactions between behaviours size. Except for starved females, who lived longer when allowed ejaculates, had no fitness. Results suggest according effort, while consumed some nutritional value evident starved.