Operational Sex Ratio and Alternative Reproductive Behaviours in Chinese Bushcricket, Gampsocleis gratiosa |
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| Authors: | Yong Gao,& Le Kang |
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| Affiliation: | State Key Lab of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China |
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| Abstract: | The effects of operational sex ratio (OSR) on male mating tactics in the Chinese bushcricket Gampsocleis gratiosa were investigated in male‐ and female‐biased environments. We measured fresh and dry spermatophore contents and copulation duration, and counted sperm numbers of each copulation. The fresh weight of spermatophore and spermatophylax was positively correlated with male body weight. The males in a strongly male‐biased environment produced significantly heavier fresh ampulla and more sperm per ejaculation, which were likely tactics for successful matings under the competition of rivals. The spermatophore might function as a structure to protect the fertilization potential of the ejaculate from rival males. |
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