Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2006
Capstone Advisor
Professor Scott Pitnick
Honors Reader
Professor J.A.C. Uy
Capstone Major
Biology
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
Contrary to early predictions of sperm competition theory, postcopulatory sexual selection favoring increased investment per sperm (e.g., sperm size, sperm quality) has been demonstrated in numerous organisms. Recent findings reveal that sperm production strategies are highly variable, with males of some species producing relatively few, giant sperm. We empirically demonstrate for Drosophila melanogaster that both sperm quality and sperm quantity independently contribute to competitive male fertilization success. The interaction between sperm quality and quantity suggests an internal positive reinforcement on selection for sperm quality, with selection predicted to intensify as investment per sperm increases and the number of sperm competing declines. The mechanism underlying the sperm quality advantage is elucidated through examination of the relationship between female sperm-storage organ morphology and the differential organization of different length sperm within the organ. Our results exemplify that primary sex cells can bear secondary sexual straits.
Recommended Citation
Pattarini, James; Starmer, William T.; Bjork, Adam; and Pitnick, Scott, "Mechanisms underlying the sperm quality advantage in sperm competition and cryptic female choice in Drosophila melanogaster" (2006). Honors Capstone Projects - All. 618.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/618
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
