Humidity stress and its consequences for male pre- and post-copulatory fitness traits in an insect.

ABSTRACT: Global declines in insect abundance are of significant concern. While there is evidence that climate change is contributing to insect declines, we know little of the direct mechanisms responsible for these declines. Male fertility is compromised by increasing temperatures, and the thermal limit to fertility has been implicated as an important factor in the response of insects to climate change. However, climate change is affecting both temperature and hydric conditions, and the effects of water availability on male fertility have rarely been considered. Here we exposed male crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus to either low or high-humidity environments while holding temperature constant. We measured water loss and the expression of both pre- and postmating reproductive traits. Males exp

SUBMITTER: Simmons LW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10316369 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature