A cumulative feeding threshold required for vitellogenesis can be obviated with juvenile hormone treatment in lubber grasshoppers

摘要: Developmental thresholds can ensure that an adequate condition has been attained to proceed through major transitions (e.g. initiation of reproduction, metamorphosis). Nutrition is critical attaining most thresholds, because it needed for both growth and storage. Attaining a threshold typically stimulates the release hormones commit animal developmental transition, yet relationships between nutrition these endocrine signals are poorly understood. Lubber grasshoppers require cumulative feeding initiate vitellogenesis potentially oviposition. We tested relative roles nutritional gonadotropin (juvenile hormone; JH) in initiating committing The source JH was removed from all females, then analog applied after different amounts feeding. Threshold not required vitellogenesis, suggesting sub-threshold competent respond JH. Further, went on oviposit earlier than supra-threshold treated with at same time. Hence, only cause production At time, we also found individuals were restored late life tended favor current expense future reproduction. Both time oviposition vitellogenin profiles consistent this allocation. Taken together, our results suggest lubber adjust reproductive tactics primarily response (which serves secondarily age.