The repeatable opportunity for selection differs between pre- and postcopulatory fitness components.

ABSTRACT: In species with multiple mating, intense sexual selection may occur both before and after copulation. However, comparing the strength of pre- and postcopulatory selection is challenging, because (i) postcopulatory processes are generally difficult to observe and (ii) the often-used opportunity for selection (I) metric contains both deterministic and stochastic components. Here, we quantified pre- and postcopulatory male fitness components of the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm, Macrostomum lignano. We did this by tracking fluorescent sperm-using transgenics-through the transparent body of sperm recipients, enabling to observe postcopulatory processes in vivo. Moreover, we sequentially exposed focal worms to three independent mating groups, and in each assessed t

SUBMITTER: Marie-Orleach L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7857279 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature