Male Age Affects Female Mate Preference and Reproductive Performance in the Cabbage Beetle, Colaphellus bowringi |
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Authors: | Xing-Ping Liu Jing Xu Hai-Min He Xian-Ju Kuang Fang-Sen Xue |
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Affiliation: | (1) Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China |
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Abstract: | The influence of male age on female mate preference and reproductive performance in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi was examined, using male and female adults of varying ages (young, middle-aged and old) after a single mating. In a simultaneous choice test, females of all age class preferentially mated with middle-aged males. Mating duration was positively related to male age. Longevity of females was not significantly affected by male age. Young females paired to middle-aged males had significantly higher egg production than those paired to old males, and the eggs of females paired to middle-aged males exhibited significantly higher hatching success than the eggs of females mated to young or old males. These results suggest that middle-aged males are more advantageous for female fitness than young and old males. |
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