Abstract
Sperm competition is conceived as a powerful selective force which acts on genes related to reproduction, promoting the evolution of reproductive adaptations and inter-population divergence that may ultimately lead to speciation. Such selective pressure is believed to be particularly strong in species from the Drosophila repleta group since females of most of these species are highly promiscuous. However, sperm competition is determined by many other factors far less explored than female remating rate; consequently, its actual intensity as a selective pressure continues to remain unknown across most taxa. In this paper, we aim to estimate the intensity of sperm competition in Drosophila antonietae, a South American species from the D. repleta group, by means of behavioural and genetic analyses. In sum, our results, while failing to reveal sperm precedence in twice-mated females, show that sperm competition is likely to occur and may strongly reduce males’ reproductive output. In addition, using highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, we confirmed a high incidence of multiple paternity in wild-inseminated females. We discuss the results within an evolutionary context comparing the mating system between D. antonietae and closely related species.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank three anonymous reviewers whose comments and suggestions helped improve the earlier version of this paper. We also thank L. Cavallino, M. Rodriguero and laboratory members for comments that helped in different stages of the work reported herein. This work was supported with University of Buenos Aires, CONICET and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica Grants awarded to EH.
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Fernandez Goya, L., Hurtado, J. & Hasson, E. Female remating rate and pattern of sperm use suggest intense sperm competition in Drosophila antonietae (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Evol Ecol 33, 637–650 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-019-10003-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-019-10003-6