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Effects of frequent mating on sex allocation in the simultaneously hermaphroditic great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)

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Abstract

Simultaneous hermaphrodites have the opportunity to control the allocation of resources to the male and female function depending on the circumstances. Such flexibility also provides the possibility to influence sex allocation in the mating partner. To investigate this idea, we measured egg production (female investment) and sperm production as well as prostate gland size (both are part of male investment) under different mating regimes in the great pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We find no evidence for the prediction from sex allocation theory that sperm production increases with mating frequency. However, we do find that animals with more mating opporunities develop smaller prostate glands, in which seminal fluid is produced. Moreover, repeated mating increases egg production, thus shifting allocation towards the female function, and probably decreases growth. So, our data hint at a three-way trade-off between part of the male function (prostate gland), female function, and growth. Interestingly, sex allocation seems to be shifted in the opposite direction from the one predicted by theory. We discuss how this feminization is suggestive of a direct manipulation by the sperm donor, probably to stimulate immediate sperm use.

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Acknowledgements

We thank C. Popelier for technical assistance and L. Schärer, N.K. Michiels, and three anonymous referees for valuable comments. This research is supported by the Research Council for Earth and Life Sciences (ALW) with financial aid from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to JMK.

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  1. Kora Montagne-Wajer & Andries Ter Maat

    Present address: Max-Planck-Institute für Ornithologie, Postfach 1564, 82305, Starnberg, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecological Science, FAculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Joris M. Koene, Kora Montagne-Wajer & Andries Ter Maat

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  1. Joris M. Koene
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  2. Kora Montagne-Wajer
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  3. Andries Ter Maat
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Correspondence to Joris M. Koene.

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Communicated by T. Czeschlik

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Koene, J.M., Montagne-Wajer, K. & Ter Maat, A. Effects of frequent mating on sex allocation in the simultaneously hermaphroditic great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 60, 332–338 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-006-0169-1

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