A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Reduced survival associated with precopulatory mate guarding in male Asellus aquaticus (isopoda)
Authors: Benesh DP, Valtonen ET, Jormalainen V
Publisher: FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD
Publication year: 2007
Journal: Annales Zoologici Fennici
Journal name in source: ANNALES ZOOLOGICI FENNICI
Journal acronym: ANN ZOOL FENN
Volume: 44
Issue: 6
First page : 425
Last page: 434
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0003-455X
Abstract
Precopulatory mate-guarding in aquatic crustaceans is known to have immediate costs for the guarding male. The extent to which guarding behavior may reduce future reproductive opportunities, however, is less established. We examined the survival and antennae length, suggested to be important in detecting receptive females, in male freshwater isopods (Asellus aquaticus) collected paired or unpaired. Antennae length to body size relationships suggested that large, paired males had broken antennae more commonly than large, unpaired males. Moreover, broken antennae seem to be associated with increased mortality. Males collected paired had lower survival than males collected unpaired, and this reduction in survival was greatest in larger individuals. In pairing trials, males usually attempted pair formation regardless of their size, female size, or previous pairing status. Our results suggest that some costs associated with male guarding behavior may extend beyond the actual guarding episode, though the consequences for mating decisions remain to be determined.
Precopulatory mate-guarding in aquatic crustaceans is known to have immediate costs for the guarding male. The extent to which guarding behavior may reduce future reproductive opportunities, however, is less established. We examined the survival and antennae length, suggested to be important in detecting receptive females, in male freshwater isopods (Asellus aquaticus) collected paired or unpaired. Antennae length to body size relationships suggested that large, paired males had broken antennae more commonly than large, unpaired males. Moreover, broken antennae seem to be associated with increased mortality. Males collected paired had lower survival than males collected unpaired, and this reduction in survival was greatest in larger individuals. In pairing trials, males usually attempted pair formation regardless of their size, female size, or previous pairing status. Our results suggest that some costs associated with male guarding behavior may extend beyond the actual guarding episode, though the consequences for mating decisions remain to be determined.
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