Mating for male-derived prostaglandin: a functional explanation for the increased fecundity of mated female crickets?

摘要: ABSTRACT Direct benefits are considered to be the driving force of high female mating rates, yet species in which females do not receive material resources from males still experience increased fitness frequently. One hypothesis suggests that substances within ejaculate may boost survival or offspring production. If these materials limiting females, they will require continual renewal via and could provide a functional understanding how rates lead fitness. Using Texas field cricket, Gryllus texensis , we investigated sexual transfer prostaglandin E 2 an important mediator invertebrate reproduction. We determined like other gryllid species, include significant quantities (PGE ) its precursor molecule, arachidonic acid (AA), spermatophore. These components passed during copulation then stored spermatheca. tested novel PGE is ephemerally available after must frequently mate maintain access this compound. found spermatheca indeed depleted through time, with only small amount remaining 1 week mating, but presence can maintained at for prolonged periods time by remating. Our results support increase availability throughout breeding season, explain positive relationship between rate fecundity.