Reproductive behavior and fitness components in male Drosophila melaogaster are non-linearly affected by the number of male co-inhabitants early in adult life.

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to evaluate the effect of the number of male co-inhabitants experienced early in adult life on male mating behavior in Drosophila melanogaster and to identify the effects of changes in mating behavior on male competitive fitness. It discusses the existence of non-linear relationship between early life experience and fitness components and a significant effect of co-inhabitant number on copulation duration and sperm defense.