Paternal investment in relation to size in the deathwatch beetle,Xestobium rufovillosum (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), and evidence for female selection for large mates |
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Authors: | D. Goulson M. C. Birch T. D. Wyatt |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford, Britain;(2) Department for Continuing Education, Oxford University, Oxford, Britain;(3) NERC Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology, Mansfield Road, OX1 3SR Oxford, UK |
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Abstract: | Male X. rufovillosumdonate on average 13.5% of their body weight to the female during copulation. The weight transferred is significantly greater in heavier males and declines in subsequent matings. When virgin females are offered a choice of several mates, they tend to mate with a heavy male. Females appear to be selective during courtship, refusing to mate with light males. Artificial weights attached to males increase the frequency of acceptance as mates by females, but not significantly. The evolutionary origins and significance of a large paternal investment and apparent female selection for heavy mates are discussed. |
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Keywords: | paternal investment sexual selection size Anobiidae ejaculate female choice spermatophore |
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