Function of copulatory plugs in house mice: mating behavior and paternity outcomes of rival males

摘要: Polyandry is widespread across animal taxa, and subjects males to intense post-copulatory sexual selection which favors adaptations that enhance a male’s paternity success, either by decreasing the risk of sperm competition and/or increasing competitiveness ejaculate. Copulatory plugs deposited are thought have evolved in context competition. However, experimental studies assess function copulatory remain scarce. Moreover, most used unnatural manipulations, such as ablating plug-producing male glands or interrupting copulations. Here, we investigated whether repeated ejaculation affects plug size mammalian model species, house mouse. When experience short periods rest found decreased over ejaculations so time since last can be applied an approximation for size. We induced natural variation arising from restedness, behavior success rival males. Male offensive mating role (second) was influenced, albeit not significantly, restedness first male-to-mate, therefore his plug. second sired significantly greater proportion embryos when competing against had recently mated compared not. This supports potential promoting male's competitive fertilization remating occurs, could mediated both delaying female ensuring efficient transport through reproductive tract.