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Behavioral Ecology Advance Access originally published online on March 14, 2007
Behavioral Ecology 2007 18(3):551-555; doi:10.1093/beheco/arm016
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

The effects of age at mating on female life-history traits in a seed beetle

Alexei A. Maklakov, Natacha Kremer and Göran Arnqvist

Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, University of Uppsala, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden

Address correspondence to A.A. Maklakov. E-mail: a.maklakov{at}unsw.edu.au.


  Abstract

Age at first reproduction is an important component of life history across taxa and can ultimately affect fitness. Because genetic interests of males and females over reproductive decisions commonly differ, theory predicts that conflict may arise over the temporal distribution of matings. To determine the potential for such sexual conflict, we studied the direct costs and benefits associated with mating at different times for females, using seed beetles (Acanthoscelides obtectus) as a model system. Virgin females were resistant to male mating attempts at a very early age but subsequently reduced their resistance. Although we found no difference in life span or mortality rates between females mated early in life and those mated later, females that mated early in life suffered a 12% reduction in lifetime fecundity. Thus, there are direct costs associated with mating early in life for females. Yet, males mate even with newly hatched females. We suggest that these data indicate a potential for sexual conflict over the timing of first mating and that female resistance to mating, at least in part, may represent a female strategy aimed at delaying mating to a later time in life.

Key words: age at reproduction, cost of reproduction, female resistance, life history, lifetime reproductive success, longevity, senescence.

Received 23 November 2005; revised 30 September 2006; accepted 1 February 2007.


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D. Seslija, J. Lazarevic, B. Jankovic, and N. Tucic
Mating behavior in the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus selected for early and late reproduction
Behav. Ecol., May 1, 2009; 20(3): 547 - 552.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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