The importance of reproductive interference in ecology and evolution: from organisms to communities

Knowledge of species interactions is vital to understand ecological and evolutionary patterns in nature. Traditional species interactions (e.g., competition, predation, symbiosis) have received a great deal of deserved attention and their general importance in shaping the evolution of populations and structure of communities is unquestioned. Recently, reproductive interference has been receiving attention as an important species interaction. Reproductive interference is defined as interspecific reproductive activities that decrease the fitness of at least one of the species involved in the interaction. Reproductive interference has the potential to affect the evolutionary trajectories of populations and structure of communities. Here, I comment on seven papers that make up this special feature on reproductive interference. Along the way I highlight key discoveries of these studies and areas of research that may contribute to our understanding of the causes and consequences of reproductive interference.     

Functional morphology of the male caudal appendages of the damselfly Ischnura elegans (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Odonata are usually regarded as one of the most ancient extant lineages of winged insects. Their copulatory apparatus and mating behavior are unique among insects. Male damselflies use their caudal appendages to clasp the female's prothorax during both copulation and egg-laying and have a secondary copulatory apparatus for sperm transfer. Knowledge of the functional morphology of the male caudal appendages is the basis for understanding the evolution of these structures in Odonata and respective organs in other insects. However, it is still not exactly known how the zygopteran claspers work. In this study, we applied micro-computed tomography and a variety of microscopy techniques to examine the morphology, surface microstructure, cuticle material composition and muscle topography of the male caudal appendages of Ischnura elegans. The results indicate that the closing of the paraproctal claspers is mainly passive. This indirect closing mechanism is very likely supported by high proportions of the elastic protein resilin present in the cuticle of the paraproctal bases. In addition, the prothoracic morphology of the female plays an important role in the indirect closing of the male claspers. Our data indicate that both structures – the male claspers and the female prothoracic hump – function together like a snap-fastener.     

Reproductive biology of the horned viper,Cerastes cerastes gasperettii in the central region of Saudi Arabia

The reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii, in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia was investigated over a period of one year. Study of reproductive cycle of male and female C. c. gasperettii revealed that the breeding season is relatively short (April and May). Thereafter females laid eggs by mid of July and hatching probably had taken place by the end of September. No activity was observed during winter, this may indicate just a single clutch per year. Relative testis weight to body weight was drastically increased (X¯ = 0.88%) during the peak of reproductive activity (May) where maximal expansion of seminiferous tubules was also attained during April and May (X¯ = 209 μm and 191 μm, respectively). Likewise, the ovarian activity was the highest during May where ovarian parameters were greater in terms of relative ovarian weight to body weight and ova diameter being 0.46% and 2.29 mm, respectively. Fat body weight was increased drastically just before the peak of reproductive activity then started to decline during June. It could be concluded that the harsh desert conditions and similar environments certainly affect reproductive activity of Saudi Arabian reptiles including snakes.     

Crocodylus niloticus (Crocodilia) is highly sensitive to water surface waves

Crocodiles show oriented responses to water surface wave stimuli but up to now behavioral thresholds are missing. This study determines the behavioral thresholds of crocodilians to water surface waves. Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) were conditioned to respond to single-frequency water surface wave stimuli (duration 1150 ms, frequency 15, 30, 40, 60 and 80 Hz), produced by blowing air onto the water surface. Our study shows that C. niloticus is highly sensitive to capillary water surface waves. Threshold values decreased with increasing frequency and ranged between 10.3 μm (15 Hz) and 0.5 μm (80 Hz) peak-to-peak wave amplitude. For the frequencies 15 Hz and 30 Hz the sensitivity of one spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) to water surface waves was also tested. Threshold values were 12.8 μm (15 Hz) down to 1.76 μm (30 Hz), i.e. close to the threshold values of C. niloticus. The surface wave sensitivity of crocodiles is similar to the surface wave sensitivity of semi-aquatic insects and fishing spiders but does not match the sensitivity of surface-feeding fishes which is higher by one to two orders of magnitude.     

缺锌和HCO_3~-处理对诸葛菜和油菜有机酸特征的影响

以诸葛菜和油菜为材料,水培环境下设置4个不同的缺锌和碳酸氢根离子胁迫处理,分别为+Zn0(含Zn且不加HCO3-的处理组),+Zn10(含Zn且加10 mmol·L-1HCO3-的处理组),-Zn0(缺Zn且不加HCO3-的处理组)和-Zn10(缺Zn且加10 mmol·L-1HCO3-的处理组),利用离子色谱法分析了4个处理的两种植物幼苗器官(根、茎、叶)及根系分泌物中的有机酸特征。结果表明:(1)高浓度碳酸氢根离子处理显著增加了两种植物器官及根系分泌的有机酸总量,尤其是在缺锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子双重胁迫下(-Zn10处理),诸葛菜器官和根系分泌的有机酸比油菜更敏感,草酸、柠檬酸和苹果酸是诸葛菜器官和根系分泌物中的优势酸,这三种有机酸的含量分别占其有机酸总量的75%及以上;(2)叶片是两种植物有机酸产生的主要器官,有机酸的含量和分配比例从地上部分(叶和茎)到地下部分(根)减少;(3)两种植物器官和根系分泌物中的有机酸变化趋势一致,叶片中有机酸主要来源于暗呼吸过程和光呼吸过程,其他器官和根系分泌物中的有机酸主要来源于暗呼吸过程;(4)诸葛菜对缺锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子的适应能力强于油菜,为诸葛菜的喀斯特适生性和低锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子环境(如喀斯特环境)的生态修复提供了理论依据。     

黄龙山白桦桦木醇与桦木酸含量研究

为了阐明黄龙山白桦不同生境、不同径级、不同器官桦木醇与桦木酸含量,系统采集了陕北黄土高原黄龙山林场阳坡、阴坡、林缘、孤立木4种生境下的白桦不同径级植株的树皮、树枝和树叶样品,采用超声波辅助提取法提取样品,用高效液相色谱法测定了不同生境、不同径级白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量。结果表明：（1）不同生境下白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量均存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,白桦树皮中桦木醇与桦木酸含量、白桦树枝中桦木酸含量在4种生境下均表现为阴坡＞孤立木＞林缘＞阳坡,白桦树叶中桦木醇与桦木酸含量及树枝中桦木醇含量均表现为阴坡＞林缘＞孤立木＞阳坡,总体来看阴坡生境下白桦各器官桦木醇与桦木酸含量都是最高的。（2）在白桦各器官中,桦木醇、桦木酸含量均表现为树皮＞树枝＞树叶。（3）不同生境下白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量随着胸径的增大均先增大后减小,均在第Ⅱ径级即胸径10.1~20 cm达到最大。研究认为,阴坡生境有利于白桦各器官积累桦木醇、桦木酸;白桦各器官中桦木醇含量较高,桦木酸含量比较低,而以桦木酸为原料的生物制剂已进入临床应用阶段,因此,以桦木醇为原料制取桦木酸是解决桦木酸在天然植物中含量低、提取困难的有效途径;对白桦各器官的采收应注意把握时机,于白桦生长到胸径10.1~20 cm时为最佳采收期。     

Differential control of temporal and spatial aspects of cockroach leg coordination

Ensembles of neuronal networks and sensory pathways participate in controlling the kinematic and dynamic parameters of animal movement necessary to achieve motor coordination. Determining the relative contribution of proprioceptive feedback is essential for understanding how animals sustain stable, coordinated locomotion in complex natural environments. Here, we focus on the role of chordotonal organs (COs), proprioceptors found in insect legs, in the spatial and temporal regulation of walking. We compare gait parameters of intact cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) and sensory-impaired ones, injected with pymetrozine, a chemical previously shown to abolish CO function in locusts. We verify that afferent CO activity in pymetrozine-treated cockroaches is inhibited, and analyze the effect of this sensory deprivation on inter-leg coordination. We find significant changes in tarsi placement and leg path trajectories after pymetrozine treatment. Leg touchdown accuracy, measured from relative tarsi positions of adjacent legs, is reduced in treated animals. Interestingly, despite poorer spatial coordination in both stance and swing, temporal properties of the gait remain largely the same as in the intact preparations, apart from changes in ipsilateral phase differences between front and middle legs. These findings provide insights into the role of COs in insect gait control and establish pymetrozine as a useful tool for further studies of insect locomotion.     

Effects of grouping and fighting on the reproductive tracts of male white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)

Summary Adult, male white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were subjected to a variety of social situations ranging from isolation during the 20 day experimental period to constant contact with both females and other adult males. Contacts included grouping (three or four males per cage) and exposure to fighters (once daily for 20 minutes). The following measurements were recorded: weights of the body, testes, epididymides, vesicular glands, vesicular gland tissue (wet and dry), seminal fluid of the vesicular gland, adrenal glands, and baculum; spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides. Grouping significantly affected both the weight and spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides, as well as both the tissue and seminal fluid weight of the vesicular glands. The results suggested a graded effect of all treatments on the reproductive tract. In order of magnitude of the associated response, from none to greatest, the treatments may be ranked as follows: pairing with females, isolating, handling, fighting, and grouping. All reproductive parameters measured showed this general ranking, suggesting that the response to the various treatments was similar and differed only quantitatively. The results further suggested decreased secretion of LH and testosterone, although measurements of testosterone did not substantiate this conclusion. The lack of significant effects of grouping on adrenal gland weights strengthened the argument that adrenal involvement is not a necessary adjunct to the suppression of the reproductive tract in groupedPeromyscus, but the adrenal may be involved if contacts between males result in overt fighting.     

Reproductive performance and milk traits of F1 Romanov ewes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding Awassi and Morkaraman ewes with Romanov sires on litter size and total productivity as reflected by reproductive performance and milk production in the ewes. Twenty-three Romanov × Awassi (RA) and 19 Romanov × Morkaraman (RM) ewes were used. All of the ewes were pregnant at the start of the study, and litter size at birth and at weaning (60 days) were recorded. Milk production was recorded weekly and milk composition was estimated as dry matter and fat percentage. Litter size at birth (RM: 1.89 ± 0.18; RA: 1.62 ± 0.15) and weaning (RM: 1.67 ± 0.20; RA: 1.46 ± 0.17), dam weight at lambing (RM: 50.2 ± 2.37; RA: 44.2 ± 1.98) and total productivity (RM: 29.9 ± 3.05; RA: 24.4 ± 2.54) were not influenced by breed-type. Lactation length and milk yield was relatively but not significantly higher in RA than RM ewes. Dry matter and fat percentage of milk were found to be similar for both breed-types. Results of the present study indicate that crossbreeding of Awassi and Morkaraman ewes with Romanov rams yielded similar performance in F1 ewes. When F1 ewe performance is compared with their pure breed maternal ancestor, it is concluded that reproductive performance is improved by crossbreeding with Romanov.