Copulatory courtship, body temperature and infection in Tenebrio molitor.

ABSTRACT: Ectothermic animals can raise their body temperature under varying circumstances. Two such situations occur during sexual activity (as metabolic rate rises during copulatory movements) and during infection (to control pathogens more effectively). We have investigated these two situations using Tenebrio molitor males. We recorded the copulatory courtship behavior of sick (= infected with Metharizium robertsii fungus) vs healthy males and its link with body temperature. We predicted a positive relation between copulatory courtship (measured as antennal and leg contact behavior) and body temperature, especially in sick males. We found that the intensity of contacts correlated with increased body temperature in sick males. Previous studies in this species indicated that partner females laid fe

SUBMITTER: Cargnelutti F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10490994 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature