Sperm numbers vary between inter- and intra-population matings of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus.

ABSTRACT: Comparing the reproductive output of intra- and inter-population matings is the most common way to assess whether post-mating reproductive isolation is caused by genetic incompatibilities. Such genetic incompatibility can however, only assume that the quantity of the post-mating signals involved does not differ between intra- and inter-population matings. This assumption may not be true because sexual selection predicts reduced mating effort towards low-quality mates and in many circumstances, allopatric partners are low-quality mates. Post-mating efforts may, therefore, be reduced in inter- compared to intra-population matings. Here, I test this crucial assumption by studying variation in one post-mating trait, sperm number, in crosses of two parapatric grasshopper populations. In both po

SUBMITTER: Reinhardt K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1618906 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature