Sperm fertility and skewed paternity during sperm competition in the Australian long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Hosken, David J.

doi:10.1017/s0952836998005111

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…For example, peak spermatogenesis occurs during January for N. gouldi in eastern Australia (Phillips & Inwards 1985), about two months before its close relatives N. geoffroyi and N. major in this study. Moreover, mating occurs when gonadal testosterone levels are low (Hosken, 1997d(Hosken, , 1998, as reported for other hibernating bats (e.g. Beasley & Zucker, 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Gustafson, 1979;Racey, 1982;Tidemann, 1993;Hosken, 1997dHosken, , 1998. Prostate gland and epididymal activity peaked after spermatogenesis was terminated, was maintained throughout winter, and both regressed in spring.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the bats of this study). Moreover, the degree to which they are actually sperm-limited, which will depend on ejaculate volume, the size of the male store, and mating frequency, is unknown, but some male N. geoffroyi can successfully fertilize at least ®ve females (Hosken, 1998). For example, males may tailor their ejaculates to the perceived risk of sperm competition (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The male reproductive cycle of three species of Australian vespertilionid bat

et al. 1998

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The male reproductive cycles of three species of vespertilionid bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi, N. major, and Vespadelus regulus) are described. Descriptions are based on the degree of testicular and cauda epididymal development estimated from ®eld captures, and for N. geoffroyi, on histological examination of ®xed specimens and assays of their testicular testosterone concentrations. All species were found to undergo a dissociated pattern of reproduction; the activity of the testes and accessory glands of reproduction were asynchronous. Spermatogenesis occurred in summer/early autumn (December±March) and testes generally regressed before mating began in autumn (March±May). Spermatozoa were stored in the cauda epididymides during the mating period. Leydig cells of N. geoffroyi involuted prior to mating but the prostate gland remained enlarged and secretory during winter (June±August), regressing in late spring (November). Testicular testosterone concentrations were greatest when Leydig cells were maximally enlarged, and concentrations were low during the mating period. The reproductive cycle of all species apparently involved asynchrony between primary and secondary sexual function, which is typical of vespertilionid bats inhabiting temperate latitudes. As mating occurs when sperm stores cannot be replenished, selection for prudent sperm allocation may be expected.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The male reproductive cycle of three species of Australian vespertilionid bat

et al. 1998

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“…Our results show that males with the greatest body weight Ð which usually corresponds with high social rank in most small mammals (Wol 1985) Ð were the most successful ones. It might also be explained by female preference for heavier males or by preferring them at the most propitious time (Schwagmeyer & Parker 1987), since timing of insemination is also important in determining fertilization success in mammals, as it has been shown in female rats and bats (Hosken 1998). It might also be explained by female preference for heavier males or by preferring them at the most propitious time (Schwagmeyer & Parker 1987), since timing of insemination is also important in determining fertilization success in mammals, as it has been shown in female rats and bats (Hosken 1998).…”

Section: Multiple Paternity and Mating System In Wood Micementioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Paternity and Similar Variance in Reproductive Success of Male and Female Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) Housed in an Enclosure

Bartmann

Gerlach

2001

Ethology

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The mating system and variance in individual reproductive success in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) were analysed genetically and using observational studies within a large cage system in an outdoor enclosure. Four experimental groups contained four males and four females, each individually marked with a transponder (small computer chips injected under the skin) allowing individual detection of animals underground or within nest boxes without disturbance. The probability of paternity was analysed by comparing frequencies of cohabitation of males and females. In addition, DNA microsatellite analysis revealed reproductive success of each individual. Multiple paternity was found in 85% of all litters, which were sired by up to all four males. Males with a greater body mass, possibly indicative of a higher rank, sired more offspring than those with lower body mass. Interestingly, variance in the reproductive success of males and females did not differ. There was no indication that paternity could be assessed by the time males resided with a female shortly before she became pregnant. Our results indicate wood mice probably have a promiscuous mating system.

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“…Where males compete with each other for access to females, large body size often confers an advantage and thus correlates positively with individual paternity success [1]. High variance in breeding success among individuals leads to reproductive skew at the population level, which has been shown in a range of mammalian groups including ungulates [2], primates [3], pinnipeds [4], carnivores [5] and bats [6]. In addition to size, other sources of variation (some correlated with size) may also influence a male's access to females, such as whether he holds a high quality territory [7], his age [8] and his level of heterozygosity [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants and Patterns of Reproductive Success in the Greater Horseshoe Bat during a Population Recovery

et al. 2014

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An individual's reproductive success will depend on traits that increase access to mates, as well as the number of mates available. In most well-studied mammals, males are the larger sex, and body size often increases success in intra-sexual contests and thus paternity. In comparison, the determinants of male success in species with reversed sexual size dimorphism (RSD) are less well understood. Greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) exhibit RSD and females appear to exert mate choice when they visit and copulate with males in their underground territories. Here we assessed putative determinants of reproductive success in a colony of greater horseshoe bats during a 19-year period of rapid population growth. We genotyped 1080 bats with up to 40 microsatellite loci and assigned maternity to 99.5% of pups, and paternity to 76.8% of pups. We found that in spite of RSD, paternity success correlated positively with male size, and, consistent with our previous findings, also with age. Female reproductive success, which has not previously been studied in this population, was also age-related and correlated positively with individual heterozygosity, but not with body size. Remarkable male reproductive skew was detected that initially increased steadily with population size, possibly coinciding with the saturation of suitable territories, but then levelled off suggesting an upper limit to a male's number of partners. Our results illustrate that RSD can occur alongside intense male sexual competition, that male breeding success is density-dependent, and that male and female greater horseshoe bats are subject to different selective pressures.

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Sperm fertility and skewed paternity during sperm competition in the Australian long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

The male reproductive cycle of three species of Australian vespertilionid bat

The male reproductive cycle of three species of Australian vespertilionid bat

Multiple Paternity and Similar Variance in Reproductive Success of Male and Female Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) Housed in an Enclosure

Determinants and Patterns of Reproductive Success in the Greater Horseshoe Bat during a Population Recovery

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