Mating dynamics of a sperm-limited drosophilid, Zaprionus indianus.

ABSTRACT: When males have large sperm, they may become sperm limited and mating dynamics may be affected. One such species is Zaprionus indianus, a drosophilid that is an introduced pest species in the Americas. We examined aspects of mating behavior in Z. indianus to determine the senses necessary for mating and measure female and male remating habits. We found that vision is necessary for successful copulation, but wings, which produce courtship song, are not needed. Males need their foretarsi to successfully copulate and although the foretarsi may be needed for chemoreception, their role in hanging on to the female during copulation may be more important for successful mating. Females that mate once run out of sperm in approximately five days, although mating a second time greatly increases offsp

SUBMITTER: Gleason JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10962835 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature