TY - INPR
ID - cogprints2360
UR - http://cogprints.org/2360/
A1 - Singh, Dr. Shree Ram
A1 - Singh, Dr. B N
A1 - Hoenigsberg, Dr. H F
TI - Female Remating, Sperm Competition and Sexual Selection in Drosophila
Y1 - 2002/09//
N2 - Female remating is the fundamental to evolutionary biology as it determines the pattern of sexual
selection and sexual conflict. Remating in females is an important component of Drosophila mating
systems because it is associated with pattern of sperm usage and sexual selection. Remating is
common in females of many species of Drosophila in both natural and laboratory populations. It is
reported in many insect species and vertebrates also. Female remating is prerequisite for the
occurrence of sperm competition between the males and the consequences of this competition such
as sperm precedence or sperm displacement have also been reported in many species of
Drosophila. Female remating is dependent on the amount of sperm stored, the components of male
seminal fluid, the level of nutrition and egg-laying, in laboratory by different experimental designs
and density of flies. Remating by female is an insurance against male sterility and sub-fertility and
result in increasing the genetic heterogeneity of a female offspring. Remating results in greater
productivity in females of many species of Drosophila. In this paper we review the female remating
with respect to sperm competition and sexual selection in Drosophila and have given the possible
female?s benefits of remating. We also review the role of accessory gland fluid in remating, cost
associated with remating and genetic basis of female remating and some possible mechanisms of
sperm competition in the light of last male sperm priority and paternity assurance in Drosophila
and other insects. We have also suggested the future area of research.
AV - restricted
KW - female remating
KW - Drosophila
KW - sperm competition
KW - sexual selection
KW - multiple mating
KW - sperm precedence
KW - remating speed
KW - male accessory gland
KW - human sperm competition
ER -