Search

External female genital mutilation (EFGM) is the strategy employed by male spiders to ensure paternity during sexual conflict over female remating. Three orb-web spider species have been identified to engage in EFGM, wherein males remove the female's genital scape, which is crucial for successful genital coupling. Mutilated females lose their remating ability. Despite the apparent fitness advantage of mutilator males over non-mutilators, mutilation success rates vary across these species. The extent to which females engage in aggression and sexual cannibalism as potential countermeasures against EFGM is also variable. In this study, two consecutive staged matings were conducted in Cyclosa confusa and C. vallata spiders to determine the rate of successful mutilation and the influence of sexual cannibalism and female aggression. Both species exhibited low rates of sexual cannibalism and female aggression. While most matings involving unmated C. vallata females resulted in successful mutilation, one-third of C. confusa females retained an intact scape after mating. Additionally, mutilation rates in C. confusa increased with male size and weight and decreased with female weight. In contrast to previous studies on other species, our results revealed low mutilation success with low sexual cannibalism and female aggression in C. confusa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent fieldwork on tropical bees has revealed that males of Ctenoplectrini, Tapinotaspidini, and Tetrapediini collect floral oils, but it remains unknown for which purpose. Observations and chemical tests in Yunnan show that at least 31 species of Dendrobium and two of Galeola orchids have oil hairs on their petals attracting male Ctenoplectra cornuta who collect the secretion in the same way as do females, which however prefer cucurbit flowers. We observed territoriality and mating on flowers and present a filmed copulation sequence during which the male grasps the female’s scutellum with his mandibles and repeatedly brushes her metasomal fringes with his hind legs and her hind scopae with his mid legs. We hypothesize that male Ctenoplectra scent-mark females during mating, which would explain why the males collect floral oils. Mating behavior has so far been documented in but a few dozen solitary bees, and it is for this reason that we here make available the first filmed copulation of any Ctenoplectrini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted to study and document the copulation duration and effect of mating on the female calling behaviour of the Indian population of an invasive pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Results showed that 58.39% of the females exhibited calling in the absence of males and 88.18% of females in the presence of males on the first scotophase. The onset time of calling was early in females when males were present. Calling length and calling bouts varied significantly with an increase in the age of virgin females, while in multiple-mated females, the trend was different. The copulation duration of S. frugiperda varied between 78.00 ± 7.35 min and 197.14 ± 11.06 min. The copulation duration and percentage of females mated were maximum in the second scotophase. The fecundity of multiple-mated females ranged between 841 and 1849 with a mean of 1176 ± 113 eggs per female, while in single-mated females, it ranged between 476 and 1368 with a mean of 878 ± 175 eggs per female. Our results indicated that the calling and mating took place in the first scotophase and were at a peak in the second scotophase. This information can be used in formulating biorational molecules, which can modulate calling behaviour and improve mating disruption in S. frugiperda for its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfaction is one of the evolutionarily oldest senses and plays a fundamental role in foraging and social interactions across mammals. In primates, the role of olfaction is now well recognized, but better investigated in strepsirrhine and platyrrhine primates than in catarrhines. We observed the sniffing behavior of semi‐free ranging Barbary macaques, Macaca sylvanus, at Affenberg Salem, Germany, to assess how frequently macaques sniff and in which contexts, and how sniffing is affected by sex and age. Focal observations of 24 males and 24 females aged 1–25 years showed that Barbary macaques sniffed, on average, 5.24 times per hour, with more than 80% of sniffs directed at food. Irrespective of the context, younger individuals sniffed more often than older ones. Females' sniffs were more often directed at food than male sniffs, while males sniffed more often than females in a social context. Sniffs at conspecifics occurred primarily in a sexual context, with 70% of social sniffs directed at female anogenital swellings performed by males. Of the observed 176 anogenital inspections, 51 involved sniffing of the swelling. Olfactory inspections were followed by copulation significantly less often than merely visual inspections, suggesting that anogenital odors may play a role in male mating decisions, but the role of olfaction in sexual interactions warrants further investigations. In sum, results show that Barbary macaques routinely use olfaction during feeding, but also in a socio‐sexual context, corroborating the relevance of the olfactory sense in the lives of catarrhine primates. Research highlights: Barbary macaques routinely sniffed during feeding but also in social interactions, highlighting the importance of olfaction in a highly visually oriented species.Females sniffed more often during feeding than males did and males sniffed more in social interactions than females, while young individuals sniffed more than older monkeys in all contexts.Males sniffing the female anogenital swelling were less likely to copulate, suggesting that odors may guide mating decisions, but more research is needed on the role of olfaction in Barbary macaque sociality, especially in the context of mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual selection is a driving force behind the evolution of insect genitalia morphology. Understanding the functional morphologies of mating-related structures can help explain the evolution of diverse genital morphologies. However, this research is limited to many insect groups, such as the Cerambycidae. We observed the mating process and morphology of mating-related structures of the longhorn beetle Dorysthenes granulosus (Thomson) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae). Our observations revealed mating behavior characteristics and the functional morphology of genitalia and leg tarsi. The mating process of D. granulosus can be divided into three stages: mounting, insemination, and guarding. The male usually spends 30 min from mounting to control the female, then extends its endophallus and typically inserts it twice into the female reproductive tract. Each insertion lasts for about 40 s. After that, the male begins a long-time insemination, which lasts for two to three minutes. Then, the male withdraws the endophallus and the female reproductive tract secretes a sperm mass. After insemination, some males continue to mount the female for a postcopulatory guarding period, which can last from one to five hours. During copulation, barbs on the surface of the everted male endophallus directly contact the female reproductive tract. The male fore and mid leg tarsi firmly grasp the female elytra, thorax, and abdomen. We discuss the functional morphologies of mating-related structures and the possible reason for male multiple insertions in the Cerambycidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect exocrine gland products can be involved in sexual communication, defense, territory labelling, aggregation and alarm. In the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster the ejaculatory bulb synthesizes and releases 11-cis-Vaccenyl acetate (cVa). This pheromone, transferred to the female during copulation, affects aggregation, courtship and male-male aggressive behaviors. To determine the ability of male flies to replenish their cVa levels, males of a control laboratory strain and from the desat1 pheromone-defective mutant strain were allowed to mate successively with several females. We measured mating frequency, duration and latency, the amount of cVa transferred to mated females and the residual cVa in tested males. Mating duration remained constant with multiple matings, but we found that the amount of cVa transferred to females declined with multiple matings, indicating that, over short, biologically-relevant periods, replenishment of the pheromone does not keep up with mating frequency, resulting in the transfer of varying quantities of cVa. Adult responses to cVa are affected by early developmental exposure to this pheromone; our revelation of quantitative variation in the amount of cVa transferred to females in the event of multiple matings by a male suggests variable responses to cVa shown by adults produced by such matings. This implies that the natural role of this compound may be richer than suggested by laboratory experiments that study only one mating event and its immediate behavioral or neurobiological consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argiope anasuja Thorell, 1887 is a species of orb-weaving spider found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Despite its widespread distribution, little is known about its natural history and mating behavior. In this study, I describe some aspects of the natural history and mating behaviors of A. anasuja in captivity and in natural habitats. The spiders were found to occupy less shady areas close to water bodies, building their webs between 50 to 200 cm above the ground level. Web decorations were common in female webs, primarily in the central area, and consisted of dense zigzag bands of silk. A significant difference in copulation duration was observed between cannibalized and non-cannibalized individuals. Furthermore, a significant difference in copulation duration was found between individuals in natural environments and laboratory conditions. However, no significant difference was observed in courtship duration between individuals in natural environment and laboratory conditions. Understanding the mating behaviors of A. anasuja is important because they play a key role in determining the success of mating. This study highlights the natural history and mating behavior of A. anasuja, contributing to our understanding of this species in Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 20 years, the study of fossils using 3D visualisation techniques, better known as virtual palaeontology, has revolutionised the study of organisms from the past. The study of the popular sauropod dinosaurs is a clear example: the complex mounting systems or expensive replicas once used to study their skeletons are now easily achievable thanks to advances in computing. Thus, questions such as the position of their long necks, their movement capabilities and functional implications, or even how they mated, are easier to address than ever before. Therefore, the insights gained through traditional methods, together with the contributions of new technologies, are opening up new frontiers in the study of these titans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a study of interactions among koalas, we observed interactions between adult males and dependent joeys. Most were passive in nature, suggesting that interactions with adult males are not a major threat to joey survival. However, one male-joey interaction resulted in a joey falling approximately 7 m to the ground, an incident that may have resulted in the death of the joey had we not intervened. We suggest that there is potential for infant death to occur under the generalised aggression hypothesis for koalas, although further observations are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A breeding pair of genetically engineered laboratory mice (Mus musculus) presented in apparent copulatory lock (coital tie). After anesthetizing the animals, gentle traction was used to separate the pair at which point a vaginal prolapse was detected and the penis was covered with black, firm, dry crusts and noted to have a solid pale, tan, firm cylindrical mass adhering to its glans. The vaginal prolapse was reduced and the female was returned to its cage. The male mouse had a severely distended bladder which could not be expressed and was euthanized. Histopathologic examination of the distal two-thirds of the penis revealed diffuse, acute coagulative necrosis. The mass adhered to the distal penis was a homogenous granular eosinophilic material consistent with a copulatory plug. While copulatory plugs and locks have been described in some rodent species, they have not been reported in laboratory mice. While the cause of the adherence of the plug to the penis could not be determined, we hypothesize that its adherence to both the penis and the vagina led to the lock and subsequently to ischemic necrosis of the distal penis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of mango trees around the world. This work aimed to investigate the reproductive behavior, stridulatory communication and describe the stridulatory apparatus and basic mechanism of signal emission in this species. This knowledge may facilitate the development of monitoring and control tactics. Reproductive behavior was observed in experimental arenas where stridulatory emissions of males and females were recorded. Stridulatory signals were analyzed in two different behavioral contexts, stress and reproductive behavior. Scanning electronic microscopy and stereoscopic microscope images were analyzed to describe the stridulatory apparatus and mechanism of signal production. Reproductive behavior of S. mangiferae showed some basic behaviors, described previously in other Curculionidae, including rapid movements and encounter of pairs and mounting of females by males together with emission of stridulatory signals. In response to these stridulatory signals, females interrupted their movement which facilitated copulation. Stridulatory signals emitted in the two different behavioral contexts showed specific temporal and spectral differences and could be characterized as stress signals, male courtship signals and female rejection signals. Stress signals were emitted in higher rate than courtship or rejection signals. Stress signals were produced almost continuously while the stress factor was present. The stridulatory apparatus had a different structure of pars stridens and plectrum in males and females and an inversion of the location of these components. The basic stridulatory mechanism consisted of an antero-posterior movement of the abdomen that, when in contact with the inner surface of elytra, scraped the plectrum on the pars stridens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tea leafhopper, Empoasca onukii, relies on substrate-borne vibrations for sexual communication and is mainly controlled with chemical pesticides, which poses risks to the environment and food safety. Based on previous studies, we conducted a series of behavioral assays by simultaneous observation of vibration signals and movement to investigate the mating and post-copulation behavior of tea leafhoppers. During mating, the activity of E. onukii was restricted to dawn and dusk and concentrated on the sixth or seventh mature leaf below the tea bud. By comparing the time spent in locating females among different males, the timely reply of females was the key factor affecting mating success. Empoasca onukii females mated only once in their lives, while males could mate multiple times. Male rivalry behavior involved two distinct strategies. The rivals could send disruptive pulses to overlap the male calling signals, locate the courting males, and drive them away after contact. Some rivals could emit mating disruption signals (MDSs) to interrupt the ongoing identification duet and establish their own mating communication. Both identification and location duets could be interrupted by playback of MDSs, which is essential to create effective synthetic signals to disrupt mating communication of E. onukii. Our study clarified the spatial and temporal distribution of E. onukii in mating and the function of MDSs, which will be essential to develop future vibrational mating disruption techniques for E. onukii and its energy-efficient application in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body size has a profound effect on many aspects of animals' biology including sexual interactions. Hymenopteran parasitoids exhibit dimorphisms in which females are larger than males. A recent study has indicated that in the solitary koinobiont parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum Marshall, offspring life history traits are influenced by maternal body size, which raises the questions of whether larger females are preferred and whether larger males have an advantage when it comes to accessing larger mates. To test this, females of L. fabarum were allowed to lay eggs in aphids (Aphis fabae Scopoli) at different growth stages to manipulate female and male body size. First, we conducted a choice experiment to determine whether large female wasps are preferred by males. Secondly, we examined the effect of male body size on the ability of males within a patch to access females. Males of L. fabarum lack mate preference, as both small and large females were almost equally selected as mates. Mate searching duration did not vary with male or female body size, suggesting that body size would not influence pre-copulatory interactions within the patch. Smaller males copulated significantly longer, and copulation duration increased with the sexual body size dimorphism. Our finding suggests that a "first-to-mate" strategy is favoured by males, mating with the female they encounter regardless of her quality. Also, small males copulate longer possibly because of lower sperm transfer rate. This study shed light on the evolutionary processes regarding mating behaviours in this parasitoid wasp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ants are known to show diverse mating behaviors across different species, but detailed reports on such behaviors are limited to only 0.7% of ant species. Therefore, we report on the mating behavior of the alate females and males in the small carpenter ant, Camponotus yamaokai. Its process was classified into two phases: mating attempt, and copulation. Out of 53 pairs we observed, 23 pairs engaged in a total of 36 mating attempts. The mating attempt durations in cases where copulation failed were significantly longer than those leading to copulation. Among these attempts, copulation was observed 10 times in 9 pairs, including multiple mating in one pair. The copulation lasted for 24.0 ± 5.1 seconds (mean ± SD). At the end of copulation, males pulled out their genitalia quickly to avoid potential attacks from the females. This behavior might be a strategy of males to minimize the risk of mortality during a single mating and support them to engage in multiple mating.

The status of the indigenous Southeast Asian apple snails belonging to the genus Pila is of concern due to their fast rate of population decline, possibly as a result of multiple factors including habitat loss or disturbance and the introduction of globally-invasive apple snails, Pomacea spp. Conservation actions, including captive breeding of the native Pila species, have been suggested as urgent remedial practices, but the lack of knowledge regarding the fundamental reproductive biology of indigenous Pila spp. makes such practices difficult. In the present study, observations on the mating and egg-laying behaviour of an economic valuable apple snail native to Southeast Asia, P. virescens, were conducted using video recording to examine and describe their reproductive behaviour under a laboratory condition. A total of 15 types of mating and seven egg-laying behaviour were recorded. The mating sequence which subsequently resulted in egg laying was comprised of seven types of major sequential behaviour: mate probing, mounting, shell circling, positioning, insemination posture, sheath withdrawal and dismounting. Rejection of mating attempts by the female was frequently observed. Egg laying occurred during either day or night. A sequence of seven distinct types of behaviour were performed during oviposition: climbing, positioning, forming a temporary tube, mucous secreting, egg depositing, leaving and resting. Overall, these results provide an understanding of the egg-laying behavioural process and highlight its complexity in P. virescens. In addition, detailed ethograms of mating and egg-laying behaviour were derived. These will promote further systematic comparative studies of the reproductive behaviour of apple snails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In insects, mating and oviposition are important reproductive behaviours that occur for a limited period in their lifecycle. The physiological age of an insect is crucial for reproductive maturity, mate selection and fitness. To study the effect of age on reproduction, an experiment was conducted to analyse the reproductive behaviour in different aged adults of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). The copulation duration varied significantly in different aged adults, with the highest duration of copulation (161.42 ± 16.53 min) in 1-day male (DM) × 3-day female (DF) mating combination and the lowest (85.00 ± 14.31 min) in 4 DM × 4 DF combination. A significant difference in fecundity, hatching percentage (fertility) and oviposition period was observed among the different mating treatments. Fecundity showed a decreasing trend along with the increasing age of the adults, with the highest fecundity (1769.60 ± 181.24 eggs) from 2 DM × 1 DF combination and the lowest (682.86 ± 82.04 eggs) from 4 DM × 4 DF mating combination. Overall, irrespective of male and/or female, an increase in age negatively impacted reproductive fitness. Therefore, any technique that delays the S. frugiperda breeding, such as pheromone-mediated mating disruption, might successfully control the pest. Practically our research information will be useful for the effective behavioural management of S. frugiperda by developing techniques like mating disruption strategies, thereby affecting its reproductive succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In most primates, the "challenge hypothesis" predicts increases in male–male aggressive behavior and testosterone during reproductive challenges, i.e., mating competition, or during periods of social instability, especially in seasonal breeders. However, few studies have investigated the role of stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids, and social rank in non-seasonal primates. In this study, we tested some predictors of the "challenge hypothesis" during a period of social stability in a non-seasonal primate. We collected data on aggressive behavior (male-to-male and male-to-female), copulation, and fecal samples (n = 700) to quantify testosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites (fTm and fGCm, respectively) in seven adults of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) living in semi-captivity. We found that fTm and fGCm increased during times of copulation, although neither of the two hormones were associated with aggression between males. Besides, fGCm levels were positively associated with male-to-female aggression, indicating a possible social stress challenge. Both fTm and fGCm levels were higher in higher- and middle-ranking males. Our findings partially support the "challenge hypothesis" in stumptail males and highlight the importance of glucocorticoid secretion during challenging situations; our results also indicate that during periods of social stability, testosterone is not associated with aggression, at least in a non-seasonal primate. The "challenge hypothesis" predicts higher male–male aggressive behavior along with increases in testosterone levels during times of reproductive challenges and social instability. In addition, in some primate species, higher glucocorticoid levels can be observed as well, but this is usually modulated by dominance rank. We studied rank-related aggressive behavior, mating activity, and fecal testosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites (fTm and fGCm) in male stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) in order to test some predictions of the "challenge hypothesis". Over a 20-month period, we collected data on aggressive behavior and copulation, as well as fecal samples (n = 700) to quantify fTm and fGCm in seven adult stumptail males living in captivity. During periods of mating activity, male-to-male aggression increased in higher- and middle-ranking males. Neither fTm nor fGCm levels predicted male-to-male aggression. fGCm levels (but not fTm) were positively associated with male-to-female aggression; however, this association was pronounced during periods of mating activity. fGCm levels differed according to social rank, with middle-ranking males having the highest levels. Both hormones were higher during periods of mating activity, but only in higher- and middle-ranking males. Taken together, our findings partially support the challenge hypothesis in a non-seasonal primate and shed some light on the unique social and mating system of the stumptail macaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We successfully reared the frugivorous fruit fly pest, Anastrepha ludens, in cost-free fruit waste (orange bagasse), which produced individuals with lower body nutritional content and reduced body weight, and adult males with a highly chemically diverse bouquet of odors, containing eight additional compounds when compared to adults from an artificial diet. Adults from the orange bagasse diet were sexually competitive, but their copulations were significantly shorter than the copulations of males from the artificial diet and males from the wild host plant White Sapote. From a theoretical perspective, our results are relevant because they represent a system that will allow us to study insect evolution from saprophagy to frugivory, as here we grew larvae in a proxy of an ancestral medium. From an applied perspective, our findings are relevant because understanding the role of odors in sexual behavior is key to improving biorational pest control strategies. In addition, mass-rearing pestiferous fruit flies cheaply is an essential component for control programs based on the Sterile Insect Technique. Anastrepha ludens is a polyphagous frugivorous tephritid that infests citrus and mango. Here, we report the establishment of a laboratory colony of A. ludens reared on a larval medium that is a waste for the citrus industry, specifically, orange (Citrus × sinensis) fruit bagasse. After 24 generations of rearing on a nutritionally poor orange bagasse diet, pupae weighed 41.1% less than pupae from a colony reared on a nutritionally rich artificial diet. Larvae from the orange bagasse diet had 6.94% less protein content than larvae from the artificial diet, although their pupation rate was similar. Males from the orange bagasse diet produced a scent bouquet with 21 chemical compounds and were sexually competitive, but they had significantly shorter copulations when compared to males from the artificial diet and from the wild host, Casimiroa edulis, which had relatively simple scent bouquets. The chemical complexity in the odors of males from the orange bagasse diet might initially have attracted females to novel scent combinations, but, once in the copula, they may have been able to sense negative characteristics in males, leading them to terminate copulations soon after they began. We conclude that A. ludens can adjust morphological, life history, nutritional, and chemical traits when adapted to a larval environment consisting of fruit bagasse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axioms of sperm competition theory (risk and intensity model) predict that males increase sperm expenditure when ongoing competitive copulating encounters with other males. Particularly, the intensity model that considers a real male confrontation has not been experimentally tested in laboratory rats. Furthermore, no study has explored the active role of the female (that occurs in natural conditions) in regulating the timing of copulation on the effects of competition on sexual behaviour and seminal parameters. Thus, the goal of this study was to analyse the copulatory behaviour and seminal parameters under male–male competition and female pacing. In order to control for possible variations due to the sexual behaviour phenotype, all experiments were done in male rats with short ejaculation latencies (rapid ejaculators). The results show that competition decreased by half the ejaculation latency and increased sperm quantity, but substantially decreased sperm motility. On the contrary, when competition is tested under conditions where the female regulates the timing of copulation (paced mating), the ejaculation latency increased to double, the sperm count did not change, and the sperm motility significantly decreased. The variations in the parameters of the ejaculate depend on the context, i.e., the confrontation with a competitor, and the active participation of the female during copulation. Probably, when there is more than one male during mating, the female – through cryptic choice – promotes mechanisms that interfere temporally with sperm motility. Copulatory competition shortens the ejaculation latency of rapid ejaculators. Copulatory competition plus female pacing lengthens the ejaculation latency of rapid ejaculators. Sperm motility drastically decreases due to competition regardless of female pacing. Sperm count increases during competition but not under competition plus female pacing. Seminal plug's size and weight do not change despite competition and female pacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Lycosidae is one of the spider families with the greatest diversity of species and with varied and striking strategies. Studies on Neotropical wolf spiders have contributed new and valuable information to the field of sexual selection for several decades, having discovered cases that differ markedly from previously known patterns, not only for the family but for spiders in general. Here we provide a review of studies on reproductive biology of South American wolf spiders in recent decades, focusing on the subfamilies Lycosinae, Allocosinae and Sossipinae. The promising possibilities of the spiders of this family to test fundamental hypotheses in sexual selection and reproductive biology are highlighted, and we outline areas of particular interest for future studies. We hope that this review will inspire further studies on a broader range of wolf spider species in the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mating behaviour and egg laying pattern of the areca nut white grub, Leucopholis lepidophora, were studied in the Shivamogga district's Hosanagara taluk. Females were active between 18:40 and 19:20 hrs, when light intensity dropped to 83.62 lux. The most males approached the virgin female at 18:50 hrs (15.94 lux) and the session ended at 19:20 hrs (0.26 lux). The typical mating behaviour of L. lepidophora was investigated. Female beetles began abdominal expansion and contraction, which could indicate that semiochemical secretion has begun. Males then approached, calling out to females. Male raised all of its legs, turned its body ventrally, and became suspended by the genitalia after inserting genitalia into the female abdomen. Copulation lasted an average of 74.60±6.61 minutes. The adult female's pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, and postoviposition period were 9.56± 2.04 days, 3.72± 2.35 days, and 5.24± 4.67 days, respectively. Female longevity ranged from 11 to 28 days, with an average of 18.52± 4.91 days. The incubation period was 9.56± 2.04 days, with varying fecundity and clutch intervals ranging from 24-48 hours. Experiment on egg laying pattern revealed that females waited an average of 9.56± 2.04 days before oviposition began, after which they began to lay varying numbers of eggs at an average clutch interval of approximately 24-48 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Natura Sloveniae: Revija za Terensko Biologijo / Journal of Field Biology is the property of Natura Sloveniae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Critical to evolutionary fitness, animals regulate social behaviors by integrating signals from both their external environments and internal states. Here, we find that population density modulates the courtship behavior of male Drosophila melanogaster in an age-dependent manner. In a competitive mating assay, males reared in a social environment have a marked advantage in courting females when pitted against males reared in isolation. Group housing promotes courtship in mature (7-day) but not immature (2-day) males; this behavioral plasticity requires the Or47b pheromone receptor. Using single-sensillum recordings, we find that group housing increases the response of Or47b olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) only in mature males. The effect of group housing on olfactory response and behavior can be mimicked by chronically exposing single-housed males to an Or47b ligand. At the molecular level, group housing elevates Ca2+ levels in Or47b ORNs, likely leading to CaMKI-mediated activation of the histone-acetyl transferase CBP. This signaling event in turn enhances the efficacy of juvenile hormone, an age-related regulator of reproductive maturation in flies. Furthermore, the male-specific Fruitless isoform (FruM) is required for the sensory plasticity, suggesting that FruM functions as a downstream genomic coincidence detector in Or47b ORNs-integrating reproductive maturity, signaled by juvenile hormone, and population density, signaled by CBP. In all, we identify a neural substrate and activity-dependent mechanism by which social context can directly influence pheromone sensitivity, thereby modulating social behavior according to animals' life-history stage.

A trade-off hypothesis pertains to the biased allocation of limited resources between two of the most important fitness traits, reproduction and survival to infection. This quid pro quo manifests itself within animals prioritizing their energetic needs according to genetic circuits balancing metabolism, germline activity and immune response. Key evidence supporting this hypothesis includes dipteran fecundity being compromised by systemic immunity, and female systemic immunity being compromised by mating. Here, we reveal a local trade-off taking place in the female Drosophila midgut upon immune challenge. Genetic manipulation of intestinal motility, permeability, regeneration and three key midgut immune pathways provides evidence of an antagonism between specific aspects of intestinal defense and fecundity. That is, juvenile hormone (JH)-controlled egg laying, lipid droplet utilization and insulin receptor expression are specifically compromised by the immune deficiency (Imd) and the dual oxidase (Duox) signaling in the midgut epithelium. Moreover, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression under the control of the Imd pathway is inhibited upon mating and JH signaling in the midgut. Local JH signaling is further implicated in midgut dysplasia, inducing stem cell-like clusters and gut permeability. Thus, midgut JH signaling compromises host defense to infection by reducing Imd-controlled AMP expression and by inducing dysplasia, while midgut signaling through the Imd and Duox pathways compromises JH-guided metabolism and fecundity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on reproduction of the earwig Forficula vicaria Semenov (Dermaptera, Forficulidae) in Primorskii Territory of Russia are presented. The total period of reproductive activity lasts from 47 to 52 days. The earliest mating couples were recorded at the beginning of the last third of August, and the latest ones, in mid-October. The time spent by the male and female in the cage before mating was 28 days for the couple formed in late July, 17 days for that formed in early August, 5 days for that formed in mid-August, and less than a day for that formed in late August. The couples mated repeatedly 11–17 times over the entire period of observation. From 1 to 3 copulations were recorded daily, each lasting from 30 min to 10 h with intervals varying from 20 min to 9 h. Active feeding was observed for 1.5–4 h after mating. Females started laying eggs in late September; their fecundity ranged from 52 to 71 eggs per female, and from 4 to 33 eggs were laid daily between copulations. Mature eggs were present in the ovaries of dissected females until mid-October. Forficula vicaria is characterized by parental care; starting with mid-September, the adults make wintering shelters in which they hibernate protecting their eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult sexual interest in dependent young, such as lactating pups or nestlings, has been reported in a few species, with copulations with related dependent young being, at best, extremely rare. Here we document two events of copulations on a nestling by an adult caregiver in a group of kin-living and cooperatively breeding carrion crows Corvus corone. Copulations, as well as other unusual rough actions toward the nestling, occurred within a short time-span characterized by intense conflict among adult group members, suggesting that stress could trigger such behaviours toward the brood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mating produces profound changes in the behavior of female flies, such as an increase in oviposition, reduction in sexual receptivity, increase in feeding, and even excretion. Many of these changes are produced by copulation, sperm, and accessory gland products that males transfer to females during mating. Our knowledge on the function of the male ejaculate and its effect on female insects is still incipient. In this article, we review peri- and postcopulatory behaviors in tephritid flies. We address the effects of male copulatory behavior; copula duration; and the male ejaculate, sperm, and accessory gland products on female remating behavior. Many species from these families are pests of economic importance; thus, understanding male mating effects on female behavior contributes to both developing more effective environmentally friendly control methods and furthering our understanding of evolutionary implications of intersexual competition and sexual conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Exposure to rewards can alter behavioral reactivity to them. For example, stimulants sensitize locomotor activation, whereas sexual experience sensitizes copulatory behaviors. Moreover, rewards can cross-sensitize one another. Although stimulants are known to cross-sensitize locomotor effects, the evidence for cross-sensitization between stimulants and sex is less clear. Objectives: This study determined the effects of single and repeated pre-exposure to methylphenidate (MPH) or sex on one another in adult male rats. Methods: Cross-sensitization between MPH (5 mg/kg) and sex (30 min with sexually experienced female) was examined. Adult male rats were pre-exposed to 0, 1, or 10 trials of either sex or MPH before being exposed to the other reward. Locomotor chambers were used in MPH trials. Bilevel chambers were used in sexual trials, and sexual behaviors were video scored. Results: The amount of prior sexual experience differentially influenced the ceiling of MPH-dependent sensitization; in the last drug trial, locomotion was highest in males given 1 previous sexual trial compared with 0 or 10. Compared with MPH-naive males, pre-exposure to MPH (1 and 10 trials) reduced the number of ejaculations without impacting sexual performance (intromission/mount latency and frequency). Conclusions: These findings indicate that the degree of pre-exposure to a reward can differentially affect reactivity to novel rewards. The results showed that previous findings of cross-sensitization between amphetamine and sex do not extend to MPH. However, exposure to MPH prior to sexual experience can increase the amount of sexual stimulation needed to achieve ejaculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many shark species display predictable and seasonal aggregations related to breeding activities, few studies have reported direct evidence of reproductive interactions of large sharks. In this context, the present study reports the first evidence of mating scars in female tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FEN), an oceanic remote insular system in the South Atlantic Ocean. Results from the records of seven wounded females suggest that mating activity may occur between February and August. These females measured between 267 and 372 cm in total length, which is aligned with previous studies reporting size at sexual maturity for Atlantic tiger sharks. Although some females exhibited healed wounds, three of them had fresh, open wounds. One of the females also had a swollen and red cloaca. We also report the first presumably gravid female tiger shark for the region. Although sporadic, the observations herein reported indicate the importance of FEN for tiger shark reproduction in western equatorial Atlantic waters. This finding is especially relevant as FEN has been identified as an important genetic hotspot for tiger sharks, with the largest global genetic diversity for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of laterality, that is the biased use of laterally paired, morphologically symmetrical organs, has attracted the interest of researchers from a variety of disciplines. It is, however, difficult to quantify the fitness benefits of laterality because many organs, such as human hands, possess multimodal functions. Males of the earwig Labidura riparia (Insecta: Dermaptera: Labiduridae) have morphologically similar laterally paired penises, only one of which is used for inseminating the female during a single copulation bout, and thus provide a rare opportunity to address how selection pressure may shape the evolution of population-level laterality. Our population studies revealed that in 10 populations, located at 2.23-43.3° north, the right penis is predominantly used for copulating (88.6%). A damaged penis was found in 23% of rare left-handers, suggesting that the left penis can function as a spare when the right one is damaged. By pairing L. riparia females with surgically manipulated males, we found that males forced to use the right penis outperformed left-handed males in copulation (the probability of establishing genital coupling during the 1-hr observation period: odds ratio [OR] of 3.50) and insemination (probability of transferring a detectable amount of sperm: OR of 2.94). This right-handed advantage may be due to the coiled morphology of the sperm storage organ with a right-facing opening. Thus, female genital morphology may play a significant role in the evolution of handedness and may have acted as a driving force to reduce penis number in related taxa.

Despite being one of the most abundant, economically significant, reef‐associated shark species, little is known about the reproductive aspects of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). In the present study the authors report the first evidence of mating wounds and scars in female Caribbean reef sharks at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, a remote marine protected area in the South Atlantic Ocean. Data from four females suggest this species mates mainly during the austral summer, between February and March. Given that the archipelago has been previously described as a nursery ground for the Caribbean reef shark, these results add information about the reproductive cycle of this species in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization mode may affect sperm characteristics, such as morphology, velocity, and motility. However, there is little information on how fertilization mode affects sperm evolution because several factors (e.g., sperm competition) are intricately intertwined when phylogenetically distant species are compared. Here, we investigated sperm characteristics by comparing seven externally and four internally fertilizing marine fishes from three different groups containing close relatives, considering sperm competition levels. The sperm head was significantly slenderer in internal fertilizers than in external fertilizers, suggesting that a slender head is advantageous for swimming in viscous ovarian fluid or in narrow spaces of the ovary. In addition, sperm motility differed between external and internal fertilizers; sperm of external fertilizers were only motile in seawater, whereas sperm of internal fertilizers were only motile in an isotonic solution. These results suggest that sperm motility was adapted according to fertilization mode. By contrast, total sperm length and sperm velocity were not associated with fertilization mode, perhaps because of the different levels of sperm competition. Relative testis mass (an index of sperm competition level) was positively correlated with sperm velocity and negatively correlated with the ratio of sperm head length to total sperm length. These findings suggest that species with higher levels of sperm competition have faster sperm with longer flagella relative to the head length. These results contradict the previous assumption that the evolution of internal fertilization increases the total sperm length. In addition, copulatory behavior with internal insemination may involve a large genital morphology, but this is not essential in fish, suggesting the existence of various sperm transfer methods. Although the power of our analyses is not strong because of the limited number of species, we propose a new scenario of sperm evolution in which internal fertilization would increase sperm head length, but not total sperm length, and change sperm motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown bears (Ursus arctos) usually mate in spring throughout their global range, although a few cases of breeding activity are known in late summer and autumn. In this note, we describe four observations of courtship and copulations of brown bears in the wild in late August and September 2011, 2019, and 2021 in the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain). These cases extend the published dates on copulations in Europe and the length of the mating season. These couples showed the same behaviour as those recorded in spring. Two females interacted with three different males, but we only saw them copulating with one male. Three of the four courtship cases occurred around a concentrated and seasonal source of food that congregated a large number of bears in restricted areas for a few weeks. We discuss the advantages that these late copulations can have and the uncertainties that still exist about the late reproduction in brown bears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive behaviour of the Andean catfish Astroblepus ubidiai was observed directly and with an underwater camera in a spring located next to Lago San Pablo in the province of Imbabura, Ecuador, in late 2015 and early 2016. Five mating attempts were observed, four of which were video‐taped, and two of which resulted in complete copulation. During copulation, the male grabs the female from the top of the head with its buccal disc and pelvic fins and, from this position, bends its body forming a "C" to reach the genital pore of the female and introduce its copulatory organ. Once copulation is complete, the female swims away rapidly. Details of the copulation are described here through illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenology of the earwig Forficula vicaria was studied in Primorskii Territory based on three-year observations in nature and in stationary cages. The species has a univoltine life cycle, with females and eggs overwintering in underground nests. The overwintered females protect their eggs and nymphs in spring, but later leave their nests and die in mid-June. The I instar nymphs appear since the middle third of May; the II instar nymphs, since the last third of May; the III instar nymphs, from the beginning of the middle third of June, and the IV instar nymphs, from the last third of June. The postembryonic development takes on average 65 days. Adult males appear in the beginning third of July, and adult females, in mid-July. Mating takes place from late August to mid-October, and oviposition, from late September to mid-October. The mean fecundity is about 60 eggs per female. Adults can be found on the soil surface and in natural shelters until the end of September. Males assist females in building the nests, but die after the first ground frost in October. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the viviparous marine teleosts of China, the black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf) is one of the most economically important. In addition to copulation and internal fertilization, it features lengthy sperm storage in the female ovary as well as a high rate of abortion. A network of gene regulation is necessary for these processes. To elucidate the mechanisms of copulation, fertilization, and gestation, it is essential to determine the genetic basis of viviparous teleost oogenesis and embryogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptome of the ovary during different developmental phases to investigate the dynamic changes that occur. We constructed 24 ovary transcriptomes. In order to investigate the regulation of embryogenesis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with specific expression patterns were subjected to gene ontology annotation, pathway analyses, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in focal adhesion, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, Wnt, and ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathways. As a result of our study, we provide omics evidence for copulation, fertilization, and gestation in viviparous marine teleosts. Decoding the S. schlegelii gene regulation network, as well as providing new insights into embryogenesis, is highly valuable to researchers in the marine teleost reproduction sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is the only known rodent to exhibit true, human-like menstruation and postpartum ovulation, and is an important new model for reproductive studies. Spiny mice do not produce a visible copulatory plug, and calculation of gestational age is therefore restricted by the need to use mated postpartum dams. The current inefficient method of monitoring until parturition to provide a subsequent estimate of gestational age increases study duration and costs. This study addressed this issue by comparing the mating behaviour of spiny mice across the menstrual cycle and proposes a more accurate method for staging and pairing animals that provides reliable estimates of gestational age. In experiment 1, mating behaviour was recorded overnight to collect data on mounting, intromission, and ejaculation (n = 5 pairs per stage) in spiny mice paired at menses and at early and late follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. In experiment 2, female spiny mice were paired at the follicular or luteal phases of the menstrual cycle to determine any effect on the pairing-birth interval (n = 10 pairs). Results We report a broad mating window of ~ 3 days during the follicular phase and early luteal phase of spiny mice. Males displayed a discrete ‘foot twitch’ behaviour during intromission and a brief copulatory lock during ejaculation. Litters were delivered after 40–43 days if pairing occurred during the mating window, compared with 46–48 days for spiny mice paired in the late luteal phase. When pairing occurred during the late luteal phase or menses no mating activity was observed during the recording period. Conclusion This study clearly demonstrates an effect of the menstrual cycle on mating behaviour and pregnancy in the spiny mouse and provides a reliable and more effective protocol for estimating gestational age without the need for postpartum dams.

Increased turbidity due to Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) contamination has been reported in several water bodies. However, the impact of POME-derived turbidity on the reproductive behaviour of fish is still unexplored. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the alteration in reproductive behavior of siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) after exposure to different levels of turbidity derived from POME. In total, 12 sexually mature pairs of siamese fighting fish were exposed to the different levels of turbidity, namely <1 NTU (control), 20 NTU (Treatment A), 40 NTU (Treatment B), and 60 NTU (Treatment C) with three replicates. Reproductive performance (total released egg, relative weight of released eggs, and nest area) and behaviour parameters (fin spreads, tail beats, chasing, leads, circling, and copulation) were measured. Results showed that an increase in turbidity (>40 NTU) due to POME contamination significantly decreased total released egg but did not have significant impact on relative weight of released eggs and nest area. Decreased total released eggs was occurred due to several alterations in the reproductive behaviour of siamese fighting fish during both the premating and mating stages. Duration of premating and mating stage was significantly decreased at turbidity level of 60 NTU. During premating stage, the number and average time of fin spreads behaviour at turbidity level of 60 NTU were significantly increased. In addition to, the number of chasing behaviour was significantly decreased with increasing turbidity levels. Furthermore, several alterations in reproductive behavior was also observed in mating stage, including increasing number and average time of lead, copulation interval, number of tail beat, average time of lead, and average time of circlings, followed by decreasing number of leads and number of circlings. In addition to, number of copulation and eggs per copulation showed an increasing and decreasing pattern at turbidity level of 40 and 60 NTU, respectively. The study suggests that reproductive behavior of fish might consider as alternative approach to support POME remediation management, mainly for turbidity parameters. [Display omitted] • Total released eggs of fish significantly decreased at turbidity level of ≥40 NTU. • No significant effect on the relative weight of released egg and nest area. • Behaviour alteration was recorded during premating and mating stage at turbidity levels of ≥40 NTU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The male genital structures of arthropods are key features in the taxonomic and phylogenetic study of these organisms. The male genitalia of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis are complex organs which are partly composed of structures that dynamically extrude during copulation. Methods Here, we describe the morphology of the genitalia of P. humanus capitis at the copulation stage, and at rest, by using stereoscopic microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results CLSM and SEM images revealed that the vesica is composed of two distinct anatomical parts, the proximal lobe and the distal lobe. Both lobes have short and narrow spines, as well as long and wide scales with either sharp or rounded tips. The rounded scales vary in size and have a wavy base and rounded tips, and thus resemble a tongue in appearance. We identified a gland-like area on the penis with 11 shallow circular depressions, and a flat area with 14–16 exit orifices. The apical end of the penis has a foliaceous trifurcation and serves to expel the contents of the ejaculatory duct. These characteristics were recorded for all the specimens analyzed, indicating that these structures are highly conserved; to our knowledge, they have not been previously reported for any suborder of lice. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, our results reveal for the first time the morphological details, and complexity, of the male genitalia of the head louse P. humanus capitis at different stages of copulation. The new approach described here provided information that should be taken into consideration in future research on the genitalia of lice. Application of this approach will also impact the taxonomic and phylogenetic study of other insect taxa. Graphical Abstract

We report the first observation of the mating behavior of the endangered Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas) from Gunung Malabar Protected Forest in West Java and Alas Purwo National Park in East Java. We recorded the mating process of the Javan leopard using a camera trap on 20 November 2014 and 22 September 2020. We consider this to be the first record in the wild in Indonesia.

To allow mating, a male and a female were simultaneously introduced into a 5 mL vial, where the pre-mating and mating times were recorded. However, when matings took place on the same day, copulation duration was significantly longer with the first female mated than with subsequent females, but when two days were left between matings, the mating duration was similar for the three females. Multiple Mating Experiment The mating status of the male affected the pre-mating time, with significant differences (F = 2.58, df = 5/109, I p i < 0.05), showing longer times when mating the last females (Table 1). Keywords: biological control agent; fecundity; Orius laevigatus; copulation; delayed mating; multiple mating; age EN biological control agent fecundity Orius laevigatus copulation delayed mating multiple mating age N.PAG N.PAG 10 09/27/22 20220901 NES 220901 1. [Extracted from the article]