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Female remating, sperm competition and sexual selection in Drosophila

Singh, Shree Ram (2002) Female remating, sperm competition and sexual selection in Drosophila.

Short Abstract:

Female remating is the fundamental to evolutionary biology as it determines the pattern of sexual selection and sexual conflict. Remating in females is an important component of Drosophila mating systems because it is associated with pattern of sperm usage and sexual selection. Remating is common in females of many species of Drosophila in both natural and laboratory populations. It is reported in many insect species and vertebrates also. Female remating is prerequisite for the occurrence of sperm competition between the males and the consequences of this competition such as sperm precedence or sperm displacement have also been reported in many species of Drosophila. Female remating is dependent on the amount of sperm stored, the components of male seminal fluid, the level of nutrition and egg-laying, in laboratory by different experimental designs and density of flies. Remating by female is an insurance against male sterility and sub-fertility and result in increasing the genetic heterogeneity of a female offspring. Remating results in greater productivity in females of many species of Drosophila. In this paper we review the female remating with respect to sperm competition and sexual selection in Drosophila and have given the possible female's benefits of remating. We also review the role of accessory gland fluid in remating, cost associated with remating and genetic basis of female remating and some possible mechanisms of sperm competition in the light of last male sperm priority and paternity assurance in Drosophila and other insects. We have also suggested the future area of research.

Long Abstract:

Female remating is the fundamental to evolutionary biology as it determines the pattern of sexual selection and sexual conflict. Remating in females is an important component of Drosophila mating systems because it is associated with pattern of sperm usage and sexual selection. Remating is common in females of many species of Drosophila in both natural and laboratory populations. It is reported in many insect species and vertebrates also. Female remating is prerequisite for the occurrence of sperm competition between the males and the consequences of this competition such as sperm precedence or sperm displacement have also been reported in many species of Drosophila. Female remating is dependent on the amount of sperm stored, the components of male seminal fluid, the level of nutrition and egg-laying, in laboratory by different experimental designs and density of flies. Remating by female is an insurance against male sterility and sub-fertility and result in increasing the genetic heterogeneity of a female offspring. Remating results in greater productivity in females of many species of Drosophila. In this paper we review the female remating with respect to sperm competition and sexual selection in Drosophila and have given the possible female's benefits of remating. We also review the role of accessory gland fluid in remating, cost associated with remating and genetic basis of female remating and some possible mechanisms of sperm competition in the light of last male sperm priority and paternity assurance in Drosophila and other insects. We have also suggested the future area of research.

Keywords:	Female remating, sperm competition, sexual selection, Drosophila, sperm precedence, sperm displacement, duration of copulation
Subjects:	Biology: Behavioral Genetics
ID code:	bbs00001340
Deposited by:	Shree Ram Singh on 08 August 2002