<p>Movement is a key behavior affecting fitness in many animals, and one potentially beneficial form of movement is the dispersal of oviposition sites by females. When eggs are laid in a single patch, offspring face elevated risks of cannibalism and accidental extinction. The dispersal of eggs at multiple sites can enhance offspring survival. On the other hand, there are often individual differences in the moving activity of animals, some of which are genetically controlled. However, the relationship between the genetically regulated movement, oviposition site dispersal, and reproductive success is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between female oviposition dispersal and the number of offspring using the red flour beetle <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> with genetically different moving activity. We found no association between female oviposition dispersal and moving activity on a genetic basis. These results suggest that the female oviposition dispersal is controlled by a mechanism different with the general moving activity. Our results also suggest that the extent of oviposition-site dispersal by females does not influence offspring number in the next generation.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Dispersal of oviposition sites by females is not associated with increased offspring number in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum

  • Kentarou Matsumura,
  • Takeru Yamakawa

摘要

Movement is a key behavior affecting fitness in many animals, and one potentially beneficial form of movement is the dispersal of oviposition sites by females. When eggs are laid in a single patch, offspring face elevated risks of cannibalism and accidental extinction. The dispersal of eggs at multiple sites can enhance offspring survival. On the other hand, there are often individual differences in the moving activity of animals, some of which are genetically controlled. However, the relationship between the genetically regulated movement, oviposition site dispersal, and reproductive success is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between female oviposition dispersal and the number of offspring using the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum with genetically different moving activity. We found no association between female oviposition dispersal and moving activity on a genetic basis. These results suggest that the female oviposition dispersal is controlled by a mechanism different with the general moving activity. Our results also suggest that the extent of oviposition-site dispersal by females does not influence offspring number in the next generation.