Dynamics of ejaculate nutrient transfer in Locusta migratoria
1994
Pardo, M.C. | Camacho, J.P.M. | Hewitt, G.M.
Crosses were made to investigate whether males of Locusta migratoria perform cryptic reproductive investment by means of the transference of proteinaceous nutrients to females and eggs and, if so, the dynamics with which these substances are incorporated into the receptor individuals. The results show that males transferred very significant amounts of a mixture of 16 amino acids, radioactively labelled with 14C, through the ejaculate and that females transferred these to the eggs they subsequently laid. Whereas radioactive label in male and female haemolymph was only dependent on time from male injection (negatively and positively correlated, respectively), ejaculate nutrient transfer to the eggs was positively correlated with the time from first mating. The amount of radioactive amino acids transferred to females in the ejaculate with the first mating increases with the number of days since the male was injected with radioactive solution, which suggests that it is dependent on the time available for their incorporation into the ejaculate. The amount of ejaculate nutrients transferred to the eggs was dependent only on the number of copulations of the female with the injected male before laying. Male nutrients appear to be incorporated into eggs proportionately to their concentration in the female, suggesting a generalized investment. These results are discussed in relation to the expectations of parental investment theory on mating behaviour and confidence of paternity.
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