Protandry and female size-fecundity variation in the tropical butterfly Brassolis sophorae |
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Authors: | Martinho C Carvalho Paula C D Queiroz Alexandre Ruszczyk |
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Institution: | (1) Departamento de Zoologia-IB, C.P. 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-Unicamp, 13 081-970 Campinas-SP, Brazil, BR;(2) Departmento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, 38 405-382 Uberlandia-MG, Brazil, BR;(3) C.P. 9011, 90050-110 Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil, BR |
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Abstract: | Protandry (the emergence of males before females) is currently explained either as a mating strategy to maximize number of
matings in the males, or a way to minimize pre-reproductive mortality in females. Models of protandry have generally ignored
variation in female quality (reproductive potential). We recorded the sex ratio, female body mass, wing length and potential
fecundity (number and mass of eggs) of the tropical butterfly Brassolis sophorae through the emergence period. Temporal variation in female size and fecundity correlated with male potential for acquiring
mates. Females from the end of the emergence period showed lower fecundity and size. Males emerging before and close to the
median date of the female emergence period had greater mating opportunities. Males emerging either very early or late were
penalized by few mating opportunities, or by encounters with small, low-quality females, respectively.
Received: 14 November 1997 / Accepted: 23 March 1998 |
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Keywords: | Protandry Size-fecundity variation Mate opportunity Tropical Lepidoptera Brassolis sophorae |
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