Relationship between pre‐ and post‐copulatory traits in Salvator rufescens (Squamata: Teiidae). (14th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blengini, Cecilia S.; Naretto, Sergio; Cardozo, Gabriela; Giojalas, Laura C.; Chiaraviglio, Margarita
• Is Part Of: Biological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 119:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 932
• Page End: 942
• Publication Date: 2016-07-14
• Subjects: lizards -- secondary sexual character -- sexual selection -- sperm traits; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1111/bij.12860
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4066

Abstract

Abstract : Understanding pre‐ and post‐copulatory mechanisms of sexual selection can provide insights into the evolution of male reproductive strategies. The phenotype‐linked fertility hypothesis postulates that male sperm quality and secondary sexual characteristics will positively co‐vary, whereas the sperm competition hypothesis predicts a negative association between those traits. Male reproductive traits often show variation throughout the reproductive period, suggesting that the relationship between pre‐ and post‐copulatory sexual selection may vary temporally. Here, we evaluated the relationship between secondary sexual character and sperm traits and its temporal variation in Salvator rufescens, a south American lizard. We observed a negative relationship between jaw muscle and principal piece length of sperm and a variation in the relationship between pre‐ and post‐copulatory traits throughout the reproductive period. Collectively, our results evidenced a trade‐off between pre‐ and post‐copulatory traits and a strong seasonal flexibility of male reproductive strategies in this lizard species.