Mating has opposite effects on male and female sexually selected cuticular hydrocarbons. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gershman, Susan N.
• Is Part Of: Animal behaviour. Volume 162(2020)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: CHC -- epicuticular hydrocarbon -- mating -- phenotypic plasticity -- pheromone -- sexual selection -- social plasticity; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3472

Abstract

Abstract : In Drosophila serrata flies, there is female choice for male cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles and male choice for female CHC profiles. Furthermore, both males and females can alter their CHCs: when there is more opportunity for mating, males express combinations of CHCs preferred by females; however, females appear to change CHC profiles to avoid male harassment. In this study, I investigate the effect of number of matings (0–4) on male and female sexually selected CHCs. Mating caused males to express CHCs associated with higher male mating success. Thus, successfully mating males are likely to have increased future mating success. Conversely, females that mated more times expressed CHC profiles that were associated with lower female mating success. Females maximized their offspring production by mating more than once, but additional matings did not provide additional benefits. Furthermore, number of matings did not affect female survival. In total, these results suggest that females alter CHC expression to discourage male courtship when additional matings are not beneficial. In conclusion, plasticity in male and female CHC expression can both increase variance in male mating success and decrease variance in female mating success, driving the evolution of sexually selected chemical signals. Highlights: After a male fly mates, his scent profile becomes more attractive to females. Male flies that have previously mated may be more likely to mate in the future. After a female fly mates, her scent profile becomes less attractive to males. Female flies may alter their odour to discourage disadvantageous male courtship.