Social cues of sperm competition influence accessory reproductive gland size in a promiscuous mammal

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 278; no. 1709; pp. 1171 - 1176
• Main Authors: Lemaître, Jean-François, Ramm, Steven A., Hurst, Jane L., Stockley, Paula
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 22.04.2011; Royal Society, The
• Subjects: Animals; Arvicolinae - anatomy & histology; Arvicolinae - growth & development; Arvicolinae - physiology; Bank Vole; Banks; Competitive Behavior; Copulatory Plug; Cues; Ejaculate Production; Evolution; Female; Life Sciences; Male; Male animals; Mating behavior; Mating Preference, Animal; Myodes; Odorants; Organ Size; Phenotypic Plasticity; Seminal Vesicle; Seminal vesicles; Seminal Vesicles - anatomy & histology; Seminal Vesicles - growth & development; Sexual Selection; Sperm competition; Sperm Count - veterinary; Sperm Motility; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Spermatozoa - physiology; Testes; Testis - anatomy & histology; Testis - growth & development; Voles

Theory predicts that males should increase overall investment in ejaculate expenditure with increasing levels of sperm competition. Since ejaculate production is costly, we may expect males to tailor their reproductive investment according to anticipated levels of sperm competition. Here, we investi...