Intra‐specific variance in sperm morphometry: a comparison between wild and domesticated Zebra Finches<i>Taeniopygia guttata</i>

Immler, Simone; Griffth, Simon C.; Zann, Richard; Birkhead, Tim R.

doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2012.01232.x

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…On the other hand, using different recording procedures and having different people measure sperm morphology could decrease repeatability, despite statistical control for these factors. Our values for repeatability of morphology are comparable to those found in wild populations of other species (Lüpold et al, ; Cramer et al, ; Laskemoen et al, ;), and domestication and captivity seem to have minimal, if any, effects on sperm biology in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata , Immler et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Cramer

Laskemoen

Stensrud

et al. 2014

Journal of Morphology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sperm performance is likely to be an important determinant of male reproductive success, especially when females copulate with multiple males. Understanding sperm performance is therefore crucial to fully understand the evolution of male reproductive strategies. In this study, we examined the repeatability of sperm morphology and motility measures over three breeding seasons, and we studied relationships between sperm morphology and function. We conducted this study in wild-derived captive house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Spanish sparrows (P. hispaniolensis). Results for the two species were similar. As predicted from results in other passerine species, total sperm length was highly repeatable across ejaculates, and repeatability for the length of other components was moderate. The repeatability of sperm swimming speed across ejaculates was lower, but statistically significant, suggesting that sperm velocity may be a relatively dynamic trait. Surprisingly, swimming speed did not correlate with the relative length of the midpiece, and it correlated negatively with the relative length of the flagellum and with total sperm length. This pattern is the opposite of what theory predicts and differs from what has been found in house sparrows before. Also contrary to previous work, we found no evidence that total sperm length correlates with sperm longevity. These results therefore highlight the need for a better understanding of relationships between sperm morphology and function in passerine birds.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Cramer

Laskemoen

Stensrud

et al. 2014

Journal of Morphology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Further, the coefficients of variation for all the morphometric sperm head variables examined (length, width, area) were greater in the pure than in the hybrid partridges. At least in passerine birds, smaller intra-specific variation in sperm morphometry is related to an increased risk of sperm competition [67]. In addition, the VSL was higher in the more polygamous hybrid partridges [40].…”

Section: Sperm Velocity Variables and Their Importance In Competitionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Post-Coital Sperm Competence in Polygamous Animals: The Role of Sperm Traits in Species?Specific Strategies

Santiago-Moreno¹,

Esteso²,

Castaño³

et al. 2015

Andrology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In some species, the females may mate with more than one male. In these polygamous animals, both pre-coital and post-coital strategies are required for reproductive success. This mini review aims at providing an update of the role of sperm traits in species-specific strategies for post-coital sperm competence. According to the spermcompetition theory, in such species the reproductive success of the males then depends upon both the magnitude of inter-male rivalry and covert sperm competition. The number of inseminated sperm, the percentage of sperm without morphological abnormalities in the ejaculates, and the sperm velocity variables play a significant role in sperm competition. Therefore, males that transfer more sperm per ejaculate or who copulate more often, are more likely to sire offspring. The transfer of large numbers of sperm is also guaranteed by ejaculates with high sperm concentrations. Usually, males of polygamous species have large testes and produce ejaculates with high sperm concentrations. Sperm competition acts as a selective force driving evolutionary change in sperm morphology and function. The degree of sperm pleiomorphy shown by a species varies according to the degree of sperm competition its behaviour entails. For example, the ejaculates of very polygamous species have much more homogenous sperm with lower sperm abnormalities. Finally, recent studies in birds have shown that the straight-line velocity (VSL) value, the most accurate estimate of sperm cell velocity, is of great importance in competition scenarios. Thus, sperm with a higher VSL affords a male fertilization advantages over his rivals.

show abstract

“…Recent evidence suggests that head length evolves more slowly in response to sperm competition than other sperm traits (Rowe et al ), and it is known that head length tends to be a conserved trait in birds (Jamieson , Rowe et al ). However, there have also been several studies where head length has been found to diverge, both intraspecifically (Schmoll and Kleven , Immler et al ) and among closely related species (Omotoriogun et al ). This suggests that head length evolves separately from other sperm traits, although the reason for this separate evolution is unclear.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weak geographical structure in sperm morphology across the range of two willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus subspecies in Scandinavia

Støstad

Rekdal

Kleven

et al. 2016

Journal of Avian Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sperm morphology is highly diversified among species and at higher taxonomic levels. In birds, there is also increasing evidence of geographical differentiation in sperm traits within species, especially in those with strong sperm competition. Geographical divergences in sperm traits might imply the formation of a reproductive barrier in a speciation process. Here we study sperm morphology variation of willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus in a geographical context in Scandinavia, across the range of two subspecies that are differentiated in certain genetic markers, morphology and migratory routes. We describe geographical patterns in genotypes (two previously described single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and four polymorphic microsatellites); in wing length, tarsus length and body mass; and in sperm traits of 330 male willow warblers sampled at 33 localities across Norway (58°N–69°N). Birds were on average larger and longer‐winged in the north (spp. acredula) than in the south (spp. trochilus), and showed a sigmoid change in the SNP allele frequencies and body morphology around 65°N. We found no evidence of genetic structuring in the microsatellites. There was no geographical variation in sperm traits across Norway, except that sperm heads were on average longer in the south. Sperm head length was also associated with the two SNP markers, with longer sperm heads for the southern alleles, and midpiece length was weakly associated with one of the SNP markers. Similar among‐male variances in total sperm length among the 33 sampling sites indicate uniform levels of sperm competition across Norway. We conclude that sperm morphology remains a rather undifferentiated trait between the two willow warbler subspecies in Scandinavia, which is consistent with a pattern of a shallow genetic divergence. This indicates that sperm morphology is not a reproductive barrier maintaining the narrow hybrid zone.

show abstract

Intra‐specific variance in sperm morphometry: a comparison between wild and domesticated Zebra FinchesTaeniopygia guttata

Cited by 17 publications

References 57 publications

Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Post-Coital Sperm Competence in Polygamous Animals: The Role of Sperm Traits in Species?Specific Strategies

Weak geographical structure in sperm morphology across the range of two willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus subspecies in Scandinavia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About