Sperm Competition in Stalk-Eyed Flies
Author Information
Author(s): Corley Laura S, Cotton Samuel, McConnell Ellen, Chapman Tracey, Fowler Kevin, Pomiankowski Andrew
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
How does sperm precedence vary within populations of stalk-eyed flies?
Conclusion
Sperm usage in the stalk-eyed fly, Teleopsis dalmanni, is highly variable, with different families showing extreme biases in paternity.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean P2 value was 0.40, not significantly different from random mixing.
- Almost half of the families showed extreme paternity biases.
- Patterns of paternity were highly variable among families.
Takeaway
In stalk-eyed flies, some males can father all the babies while others father none, showing that who wins in mating can be very different from one family to another.
Methodology
Controlled mating experiments and microsatellite profiling were used to assess sperm precedence.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in sampling progeny and variations in brood sizes were minimized.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing sperm competition, such as female choice or male infertility.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 22 dam-sire pair families of stalk-eyed flies.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.26
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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