Within-population variation in ejaculate characteristics in a prolonged breeder, Peron's tree frog, Litoria peronii
(2008) In Naturwissenschaften 95(11). p.1055-1061- Abstract
- Sperm number is often a good predictor of success in sperm competition; however, it has become increasingly clear that, for some species, variation in probability of paternity cannot be explained by sperm number alone. Intraspecific variation in ejaculate characteristics, such as the number of viable sperm and sperm longevity, may play an equally important role in determining fertilization success. Here, we assess variation among ejaculates in three factors that may contribute to fertilization success (number of sperm per ejaculate, viability, and longevity), in a population of Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii). We detected large variation among males in the number of sperm per ejaculate and the proportion of viable sperm within... (More)
- Sperm number is often a good predictor of success in sperm competition; however, it has become increasingly clear that, for some species, variation in probability of paternity cannot be explained by sperm number alone. Intraspecific variation in ejaculate characteristics, such as the number of viable sperm and sperm longevity, may play an equally important role in determining fertilization success. Here, we assess variation among ejaculates in three factors that may contribute to fertilization success (number of sperm per ejaculate, viability, and longevity), in a population of Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii). We detected large variation among males in the number of sperm per ejaculate and the proportion of viable sperm within ejaculates, which could not be explained by variation in either male size or body condition. However, the proportion of viable sperm released by males increased over the season. Finally, we assessed sperm longevity (proportion viable sperm determined using a dual-fluorochrome vital dye) at two different temperatures. At 23 degrees C, on average, 75% of sperm remained viable after 2 h, but there were significant differences amongst males with the percentage of viable sperm ranging from 43% to 95%. For sperm incubated at 4 degrees C, ejaculates varied fivefold in sperm longevity with some males having 50% viable sperm after 5 days. Our data suggest that ejaculate characteristics (sperm number, viability, and longevity) vary widely in Peron's tree frog and may therefore play an important role in determining siring success both in the presence and absence of sperm competition. We discuss the results in relation to selection on ejaculate traits via natural and sexual selection in this and other amphibians. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/4731563
- author
- Sherman, Craig ; Uller, Tobias LU ; Wapstra, Erik and Olsson, Mats
- publishing date
- 2008
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Naturwissenschaften
- volume
- 95
- issue
- 11
- pages
- 1055 - 1061
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:54049131653
- pmid:18618091
- ISSN
- 1432-1904
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00114-008-0423-7
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- e3acb1e3-7357-475e-bd5e-c89992848423 (old id 4731563)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 14:40:29
- date last changed
- 2022-02-12 03:57:07
@article{e3acb1e3-7357-475e-bd5e-c89992848423,
abstract = {{Sperm number is often a good predictor of success in sperm competition; however, it has become increasingly clear that, for some species, variation in probability of paternity cannot be explained by sperm number alone. Intraspecific variation in ejaculate characteristics, such as the number of viable sperm and sperm longevity, may play an equally important role in determining fertilization success. Here, we assess variation among ejaculates in three factors that may contribute to fertilization success (number of sperm per ejaculate, viability, and longevity), in a population of Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii). We detected large variation among males in the number of sperm per ejaculate and the proportion of viable sperm within ejaculates, which could not be explained by variation in either male size or body condition. However, the proportion of viable sperm released by males increased over the season. Finally, we assessed sperm longevity (proportion viable sperm determined using a dual-fluorochrome vital dye) at two different temperatures. At 23 degrees C, on average, 75% of sperm remained viable after 2 h, but there were significant differences amongst males with the percentage of viable sperm ranging from 43% to 95%. For sperm incubated at 4 degrees C, ejaculates varied fivefold in sperm longevity with some males having 50% viable sperm after 5 days. Our data suggest that ejaculate characteristics (sperm number, viability, and longevity) vary widely in Peron's tree frog and may therefore play an important role in determining siring success both in the presence and absence of sperm competition. We discuss the results in relation to selection on ejaculate traits via natural and sexual selection in this and other amphibians.}},
author = {{Sherman, Craig and Uller, Tobias and Wapstra, Erik and Olsson, Mats}},
issn = {{1432-1904}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{11}},
pages = {{1055--1061}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Naturwissenschaften}},
title = {{Within-population variation in ejaculate characteristics in a prolonged breeder, Peron's tree frog, Litoria peronii}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-008-0423-7}},
doi = {{10.1007/s00114-008-0423-7}},
volume = {{95}},
year = {{2008}},
}