Abstract
In many animals, investment in anti-predator traits can affect reproductive success. Conversely, males that invest more resources in mating success may have relatively fewer resources to devote to anti-predator traits, leading to increased predation risk. Although previous studies have reported a trade-off in investment between anti-predator traits and reproductive traits in male animals, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of anti-predator behavior on male reproductive traits. Many animals engage in death-feigning as an anti-predator behavior. Herein, we investigated the relationship between the death-feigning behavior and pre- and post-copulatory reproductive traits of male red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum. In a previous study, we used artificial selection to establish T. castaneum strains with a genetically longer (L-strain) or shorter (S-strain) duration of death-feigning behavior. In the present study, we compared the attractiveness (a pre-copulatory trait) and paternity success (a post-copulatory trait) between L- and S-strain males. The results showed no significant difference in attractiveness or paternity success between the two strains. The results suggest that death-feigning behavior is not correlated with pre- or post-copulatory reproductive traits in male T. castaneum.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 265-270 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Ethology |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 13 2019 |
Keywords
- Anti-predator trait
- Attractiveness
- Mating success
- Paternity success
- Reproduction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Animal Science and Zoology