Does seed size mediate sex-specific reproduction costs in the Callosobruchus maculatus bean beetle?

ABSTRACT: There is a trade-off between reproductive effort and adult longevity, and when resource allocation is taken into account, it is especially pronounced in species that have aphagous adult forms. This trade-off may be further complicated by environmental factors such as nutrient availability during larval development and by the other sex, which influences the costs of reproduction due to the presentation of nuptial gifts. Here, we examined the influence of larval nutrient quantity on the sex-specific longevity costs of reproduction in the gift-giving seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. We found no indication that differences in the nutrient quality of larger and smaller host seeds influence survival in virgin and reproducing individuals or nuptial gift size in reproducing individuals. Howev

SUBMITTER: Malek DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6907851 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature