A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Reproduction is costly in an infected aquatic insect
Authors: Krams IA, Krama T, Trakimas G, Kaasik A, Rantala MJ, Skute A
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Ethology Ecology and Evolution
Journal name in source: ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
Journal acronym: ETHOL ECOL EVOL
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
First page : 74
Last page: 84
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 0394-9370
eISSN: 1828-7131
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2015.1089943
Abstract
Internal energy reserves of animals are limited, and the current investment in reproduction often decreases survival or future reproductive success. Some studies showed that copulatory activities impair the strength of immune function in insects, while the recent evidence is contradictory. In this study we tested whether copulatory activity affects the rate of encapsulation response in males of Calopteryx splendens damselfly in allopatric populations, and in sympatric populations where C. splendens stay together with their superior competitor C. virgo. We also counted the number of eugregarines, which are common parasites of damselflies. Copulation activity did not affect the immunity of C. splendens males in allopatric populations. In sympatric populations C. splendens males had more gut parasites, and we found a significant interaction between parasite number and copulatory activity on the rate of encapsulation. Our results suggest that the costs of reproduction are higher in infected males, which may affect reproductive investment and sexual selection.
Internal energy reserves of animals are limited, and the current investment in reproduction often decreases survival or future reproductive success. Some studies showed that copulatory activities impair the strength of immune function in insects, while the recent evidence is contradictory. In this study we tested whether copulatory activity affects the rate of encapsulation response in males of Calopteryx splendens damselfly in allopatric populations, and in sympatric populations where C. splendens stay together with their superior competitor C. virgo. We also counted the number of eugregarines, which are common parasites of damselflies. Copulation activity did not affect the immunity of C. splendens males in allopatric populations. In sympatric populations C. splendens males had more gut parasites, and we found a significant interaction between parasite number and copulatory activity on the rate of encapsulation. Our results suggest that the costs of reproduction are higher in infected males, which may affect reproductive investment and sexual selection.
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