Conflict between the sexes over the occurrence and timing of copulation is a common feature of sexual reproduction. In Panorpa scorpionflies (Mecoptera, Panorpidae), sexual conflict occurs over mating duration, and it has been suggested that the notal organ-a clamp-like structure on the males' abdomen-is an adaptation to coerce mating duration, enabling males to prolong mating against female interests. However, as recent studies suggest that female scorpionflies have considerable control over mating decisions, we question this hypothesis and reexamined the function of the notal organ with respect to prolonged mating. We manipulated the notal organs of male Panorpa vulgaris and compared copulation durations achieved by males with functional and nonfunctional notal organs. There were no effects on the overall copulation duration or the period of time a copulation continues after the last nuptial gift has been delivered. We therefore reject the hypothesis that the notal organ is a male adaptation to extend copulation duration against female interests. Key words: copulation duration, Panorpa vulgaris, prolonged mating, sexual conflict, sexual selection. [Behav Ecol 20:639-643 (2009)] H aving dismissed the traditional view that reproduction relies on cooperation and harmony between the two sexes, it is now the general opinion that sexual conflict, that is, the conflict between evolutionary interests of individuals of the two sexes (Parker 1979), is a common feature of sexual reproduction. It occurs when a trait that enhances the reproductive success of one sex reduces the fitness of the other sex (Parker 1979). Male and female interests often diverge with respect to mating decisions such as the timing and duration of copulation, as well as to the number of mating partners, parental investment, and/or fertilization decisions. Sexual conflict can therefore constitute a potent force in male-female coevolution (e.g., Stockley 1997;Holland and Rice 1998;Chapman et al. 2003;Arnqvist and Rowe 2005).The rate at which mating occurs has an especially high potential for sexual conflict, as the optimum will be different for males and females in most species (e.g., Bateman 1948;Parker et al. 1972;Trivers 1972;Holland and Rice 1998). Thus, studies on the implications of sexual conflict have largely focused on conflicts over the occurrence and timing of mating (e.g., Arnqvist and Rowe 1995;Sakaluk et al. 2006;Blanckenhorn et al. 2007; for reviews see Chapman et al. 2003;Parker 2006;Wedell et al. 2006;Gwynne 2008). As Gwynne (2008) points out, sexual conflict over mating and fertilization decisions will also play a major role in the evolution and maintenance of nuptial feeding in insects.In the gift-giving scorpionfly Panorpa vulgaris (Imhoff and Labram) sexual conflict occurs over the length of copulation. Just as in other Panorpa species, males of P. vulgaris provide females with nutritious saliva secretions during copulation (Sindern 1996;Sauer et al. 1997Sauer et al. , 1998Sauer 2002). Because a male's ability to produce nupt...

In a collaborative effort by 12 centers from Europe and North America, data were assembled from 94 multiplex families with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) for analysis of genetic and other factors of possible etiological importance. The dataset contains information on the following genetic markers: HLA-DR beta and -DQ beta restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), three RFLPs detected with two probes that map 5' to the insulin gene, the serologically defined HLA loci, and the immunoglobulin allotypes. Data also were included for auto-antibodies to insulin and pancreatic islet cells as possible indicators of pathogenesis and for antibodies to certain viruses that have been implicated as "triggering" agents in IDDM. Medical history of family members was obtained by means of a uniform questionnaire. Identical copies of the dataset were distributed to anyone wishing to participate in the analysis for the IDDM component of GAW5. The multiplex IDDM family dataset is now available on request for further analysis.

Avec l’augmentation de l’arrivée de réfugiés au milieu de la dernière décennie, le thème de l’intégration des réfugiés dans le marché du travail a gagné en importance en Allemagne. Le cadre juridique de l’accès à la formation et au travail a été successivement élargi et modifié, notamment pour les personnes engagées dans la procédure d’asile ou les demandeurs d’asile déboutés, tandis que des mesures de soutien de l’État ont été élaborées, testées et adaptées. En parallèle, la collecte et l’analyse des données ont progressé de manière décisive : ainsi, des données plus précises sur la participation des réfugiés au marché du travail sont collectées par l’Agence fédérale pour l’emploi (BA) depuis 2016. La prise en compte de l’hétérogénéité de la population des réfugiés, notamment en ce qui concerne leur âge et leur bagage scolaire, devient de plus en plus l’objet d’une attention soutenue des acteurs gouvernementaux et non gouvernementaux, et s’affirme comme une condition essentielle pour soutenir avec succès une bonne intégration dans le marché du travail. Cet article donne un aperçu des conditions-cadres de l’accueil des réfugiés en Allemagne, des défis posés ainsi que de certaines des mesures de soutien adoptées.

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