Male mating preference in an ixodid tick.
Chemical communication
Ixodes arboricola
Male mate choice
Mating strategy
Sexual selection
Tree-hole tick
Journal
Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
Titre abrégé: Parasit Vectors
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101462774
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022
Historique:
received:
08
03
2022
accepted:
27
07
2022
entrez:
7
9
2022
pubmed:
8
9
2022
medline:
11
9
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Mate choice is a fundamental element of sexual selection and has the potential to shape the evolution of traits. Mate choice based on body size has been shown to be a common trait in several arthropod species. In hard ticks, a taxon of medical and veterinary importance, engorgement weight is positively correlated with reproductive output but it is unknown whether adult males show mate choice. Here, we experimentally investigated whether males (i) use chemical cues to choose their mating partner, (ii) consistently choose for the same female individual and (iii) prefer females with highest weight after feeding. We used two experimental setups which allowed chemical communication between ticks: (i) a horizontal tube preventing physical contact with the female and (ii) an arena where tactile cues were allowed. In total, we tested 62 different triads in 124 tests (66 tests in the horizontal tube and 58 in the arena) composed of one male that could choose between two engorged females. Specifically, we tested 42 triads in the tube and 46 in the arena; 24 triads were repeatedly tested in the tube while 38 triads were tested in both setups. We found no preference for individual or heavier females in either setup. However, in the horizontal tube setup, males significantly preferred females that were not visited by them in the previous test. Our results suggest a lack of male mate choice despite heavier females having higher fecundity. However, future studies should take into account that males may recognize the potential mating partners they previously met.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Mate choice is a fundamental element of sexual selection and has the potential to shape the evolution of traits. Mate choice based on body size has been shown to be a common trait in several arthropod species. In hard ticks, a taxon of medical and veterinary importance, engorgement weight is positively correlated with reproductive output but it is unknown whether adult males show mate choice. Here, we experimentally investigated whether males (i) use chemical cues to choose their mating partner, (ii) consistently choose for the same female individual and (iii) prefer females with highest weight after feeding.
METHODS
METHODS
We used two experimental setups which allowed chemical communication between ticks: (i) a horizontal tube preventing physical contact with the female and (ii) an arena where tactile cues were allowed. In total, we tested 62 different triads in 124 tests (66 tests in the horizontal tube and 58 in the arena) composed of one male that could choose between two engorged females. Specifically, we tested 42 triads in the tube and 46 in the arena; 24 triads were repeatedly tested in the tube while 38 triads were tested in both setups.
RESULTS
RESULTS
We found no preference for individual or heavier females in either setup. However, in the horizontal tube setup, males significantly preferred females that were not visited by them in the previous test.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest a lack of male mate choice despite heavier females having higher fecundity. However, future studies should take into account that males may recognize the potential mating partners they previously met.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36071436
doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05419-z
pii: 10.1186/s13071-022-05419-z
pmc: PMC9450281
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
316Subventions
Organisme : Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
ID : G.0538.17
Organisme : H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
ID : 799609
Informations de copyright
© 2022. The Author(s).
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