Dietary macronutrient balance and fungal infection as drivers of spermatophore quality in the mealworm beetle.

ABSTRACT: Males of many insects deliver ejaculates with nutritious substances to females in the form of a spermatophore. Different factors can affect spermatophore quality. We manipulated males' diet and health to determine the balance of macronutrients deposited in the spermatophores of Tenebrio molitor beetles. For diet, we varied the concentration of proteins and carbohydrates, while for health status we used a fungal infection. Males with different condition copulated with unmanipulated females, and spermatophores were extracted to measure the amount of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Diet and infection had an effect on the quality of the spermatophore. Diets with high protein and low carbohydrate contents produced spermatophores with higher protein, carbohydrate, and lipid contents.

SUBMITTER: Reyes-Ramirez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9387488 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature