First insights into female sperm storage duration in tardigrades. Issue 6 (16th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vecchi, Matteo; Chartrain, Justine; Puro, Simo; Tynkkynen, Riikka; Vuori, Tommi; Michalczyk, Łukasz; Calhim, Sara
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 12:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-06-16
• Subjects: evolution -- reproduction -- spermatozoa -- Tardigrada; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Female sperm storage is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and it has been shown to be linked to several evolutionary processes, from postcopulatory sexual selection to dispersal. Here we report, for the first time, long‐term sperm storage in females of the tardigrade Macrobiotus polonicus . Females, isolated after a short contact with a male, were able to use the stored sperm for up to 5 weeks (mean of 2 weeks), which translates to a considerable proportion of female post‐mating longevity under controlled laboratory conditions (60% on average). Our study provides the first insights into the duration of sperm storage, an underexplored feature of the reproductive biology of tardigrades. Additionally, we discuss important considerations for reproductive studies on these non‐model animals. Abstract : Tardigrades are an underexplored study system in reproductive and evolutionary biology. We show, for the first time, that female Macrobiotus polonicus can use stored sperm from a single mating event for a considerable proportion of their post‐mating lifetime.