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Intraspecific variation in sperm precedence in the bruchid beetle Callosobruchus maculatus
Author(s) -
EADY PAUL
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1994.tb00384.x
Subject(s) - biology , spermatheca , sperm , callosobruchus maculatus , intraspecific competition , sperm competition , female sperm storage , zoology , botany , pest analysis
.1 By examining potential sources of intraspecific variation in sperm precedence, the underlying mechanisms of sperm competition in Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) were investigated. 2 The extent of sperm precedence was not related to either copulatory behaviour or body size (male and female). 3 The extent of sperm precedence increased during the egg‐laying period, suggesting that the stratification of sperm within the spermatheca is not the mechanism of sperm precedence. 4 Direct removal of sperm from the female's reproductive tract was not observed. 5 Four other mechanisms (not mutually exclusive) are proposed to account for last‐male sperm precedence in this species.