High level of sperm competition may increase transfer of accessory gland products carried by the love dart of land snails.

ABSTRACT: Postcopulatory adaptations that increase reproductive success compared to rivals, like the transfer of accessory gland products that promote paternity, are common when sperm competition occurs among males. In land snails, the dart shooting behavior and its adaptive significance, in promoting individual fitness through enhanced paternity of the successful dart shooter, have been considered such an adaptation. The fitness result gained is mediated by the transfer of mucus components on the love dart capable of altering the physiology of the receiver's reproductive tract. In this context, dart shooting and mucus transfer could be considered as processes targeted by sexual selection. While the effect of dart mucus is beneficial for the dart user, so far it has remained unknown whether its tran

SUBMITTER: Lodi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5743536 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature