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Annual Review of Entomology Jan 2023Mating produces profound changes in the behavior of female flies, such as an increase in oviposition, reduction in sexual receptivity, increase in feeding, and even... (Review)
Review
Mating produces profound changes in the behavior of female flies, such as an increase in oviposition, reduction in sexual receptivity, increase in feeding, and even excretion. Many of these changes are produced by copulation, sperm, and accessory gland products that males transfer to females during mating. Our knowledge on the function of the male ejaculate and its effect on female insects is still incipient. In this article, we review peri- and postcopulatory behaviors in tephritid flies. We address the effects of male copulatory behavior; copula duration; and the male ejaculate, sperm, and accessory gland products on female remating behavior. Many species from these families are pests of economic importance; thus, understanding male mating effects on female behavior contributes to both developing more effective environmentally friendly control methods and furthering our understanding of evolutionary implications of intersexual competition and sexual conflict.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Diptera; Semen; Spermatozoa; Copulation; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 36198400
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120220-113618 -
Theory in Biosciences = Theorie in Den... Jun 2020The aim of the paper is to identify psychosomatic evolutionary adaptations of hominids, which direct them at maximizing their reproductive success, and on the basis of...
The aim of the paper is to identify psychosomatic evolutionary adaptations of hominids, which direct them at maximizing their reproductive success, and on the basis of which their various social structures are built. Selected features of the hominid last common ancestor were extracted; by reducing the influence of the social structure, they were defined as the hominid "sexual nature"; these considerations were supported by the analysis of sexual jealousy as a function of socio-environmental conditions. The "sexuality core" of a hominid female was defined as "selective polyandry"-the female selects the best males among those available; and of a hominid male as "tolerant promiscuity"-the male strives for multi-male and multi-female copulations with sexually attractive females. The extracted "sexuality cores" condemn hominids to a patriarchal social structure and thus to sexual coercion and jealousy. The source of male sexual jealousy is limited access to females. Hominid female jealousy of the male results mainly from the need for protection and support. Hominids' social structures are determined by females' sexual selectivity or opportunism and by their continuous or periodic proceptivity and estrus signaling. Evolutionary functions developed by women: out-estrus sexuality, copulation calls, multiple orgasms, allow them to obtain the best possible spermatozoid. The institution of marriage blocks the influence of sexual selection in the species Homo sapiens.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Copulation; Female; Hominidae; Humans; Hylobates; Jealousy; Macaca; Male; Models, Biological; Models, Theoretical; Pan troglodytes; Papio; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Sexuality
PubMed: 32170558
DOI: 10.1007/s12064-020-00312-8 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Dec 2020Aggressive and cannibalistic female spiders can impose strong selection on male mating and fertilization strategies. Furthermore, the distinctive reproductive morphology... (Review)
Review
Aggressive and cannibalistic female spiders can impose strong selection on male mating and fertilization strategies. Furthermore, the distinctive reproductive morphology of spiders is predicted to influence the outcome of sperm competition. Polyandry is common in spiders, leading to defensive male strategies that include guarding, plugging and self-sacrifice. Paternity patterns are highly variable and unlikely to be determined solely by mating order, but rather by relative copulation duration, deployment of plugs and cryptic female choice. The ability to strategically allocate sperm is limited, either by the need to refill pedipalps periodically or owing to permanent sperm depletion after mating. Further insights now rely on unravelling several proximate mechanisms such as the process of sperm activation and the role of seminal fluids. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of sperm competition'.
Topics: Animals; Cannibalism; Copulation; Male; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Spermatozoa; Spiders
PubMed: 33070729
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0073 -
Current Biology : CB Oct 2022Most vertebrates, including all mammals and birds, are sexually reproducing organisms. The implication of sexual reproduction is that an adult bird exists because a male...
Most vertebrates, including all mammals and birds, are sexually reproducing organisms. The implication of sexual reproduction is that an adult bird exists because a male transferred sperm to the reproductive tract of a female during copulation, one of the sperm fertilized an egg, and the ensuing embryo developed into an individual male or female that in turn can reproduce. This fundamental feature of sexual life - the need to bring together male and female units (genomes, gametes, individuals) in a sequence of interactions - is both fascinating and fraught with conflict, because selection acts on individuals to maximize their own lifetime reproductive success (or on individual units of DNA to maximize the number of copies of themselves that remain in the gene pool). As a consequence, a bewildering diversity of reproductive traits and behaviours has evolved.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Male; Female; Semen; Reproduction; Copulation; Birds; Spermatozoa; Mammals; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 36283376
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.066 -
Behavioural Processes May 2019In this paper we review and update evidence relevant to formulating a behavior system for sexual learning. We emphasize behavioral rather than neurobiological evidence... (Review)
Review
In this paper we review and update evidence relevant to formulating a behavior system for sexual learning. We emphasize behavioral rather than neurobiological evidence and mechanisms. Our analysis focuses on three types of responses or response modes: general search, focal search, and consummatory or copulatory behavior. We consider how these response modes are influenced by three categories of stimuli: spatially distributed contextual cues, arbitrary localized stimuli, and species-typical cues provided by the sexual partner. We characterize behavior control by these types of stimuli before and after various Pavlovian conditioning procedures in which the unconditioned stimulus is provided by copulation with a sexual partner. The results document extensive Pavlovian modifications of sexual behavior. These conditioning effects reflect new conditioned responses that come to be elicited by various categories of stimuli. In addition, the conditioning of contextual cues and localized stimuli facilitate sexual responding to species-typical cues. Thus, learning experiences enhance how the species-typical cues of a sexual partner stimulate sexual behavior. These modulatory conditioning effects not only produce significant behavioral changes but also increase rates of fertilization of eggs and numbers of offspring produced. These latter findings suggest that sexual learning can lead to differential reproductive success, which in turn can contribute to evolutionary change.
Topics: Animals; Conditioning, Classical; Copulation; Coturnix; Cues; Female; Learning; Male; Rats; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 30831223
DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.01.013 -
Hormones and Behavior Jun 2007The hormonal factors and neural circuitry that control copulation are similar across rodent species, although there are differences in specific behavior patterns. Both... (Review)
Review
The hormonal factors and neural circuitry that control copulation are similar across rodent species, although there are differences in specific behavior patterns. Both estradiol (E) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) contribute to the activation of mating, although E is more important for copulation and DHT for genital reflexes. Hormonal activation of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) is most effective, although implants in the medial amygdala (MeA) can also stimulate mounting in castrates. Chemosensory inputs from the main and accessory olfactory systems are the most important stimuli for mating in rodents, especially in hamsters, although genitosensory input also contributes. Dopamine agonists facilitate sexual behavior, and serotonin (5-HT) is generally inhibitory, though certain 5-HT receptor subtypes facilitate erection or ejaculation. Norepinephrine agonists and opiates have dose-dependent effects, with low doses facilitating and high doses inhibiting behavior.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Copulation; Cricetinae; Guinea Pigs; Male; Mice; Mutation; Penis; Rats; Receptors, Steroid; Reflex; Rodentia; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 17499249
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.03.030 -
Current Biology : CB Oct 2018Cédric Aumont and David Shuker introduce cryptic male choice, the process by which males bias fertilization during copulation.
Cédric Aumont and David Shuker introduce cryptic male choice, the process by which males bias fertilization during copulation.
Topics: Animals; Copulation; Invertebrates; Male; Mating Preference, Animal; Vertebrates
PubMed: 30352180
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.071 -
Folia Primatologica; International... 2018Many aspects of primate reproductive anatomy and physiology have been influenced by copulatory and postcopulatory sexual selection, especially so in taxa where... (Review)
Review
Many aspects of primate reproductive anatomy and physiology have been influenced by copulatory and postcopulatory sexual selection, especially so in taxa where multiple-partner matings by females result in the sperm of rival males competing for access to a given set of ova (sperm competition). However, the female reproductive system also exerts profound effects upon sperm survival, storage and transport, raising the possibility that female traits influence male reproductive success (via cryptic female choice). Current knowledge of sperm competition and cryptic choice in primates and other mammals is reviewed here. The relevance of these comparative studies to our understanding of human reproduction and evolution is discussed.
Topics: Animals; Copulation; Female; Male; Mating Preference, Animal; Primates
PubMed: 29804108
DOI: 10.1159/000488105 -
ELife Nov 2016Copulation is the goal of the courtship process, crucial to reproductive success and evolutionary fitness. Identifying the circuitry underlying copulation is a necessary...
Copulation is the goal of the courtship process, crucial to reproductive success and evolutionary fitness. Identifying the circuitry underlying copulation is a necessary step towards understanding universal principles of circuit operation, and how circuit elements are recruited into the production of ordered action sequences. Here, we identify key sex-specific neurons that mediate copulation in , and define a sexually dimorphic motor circuit in the male abdominal ganglion that mediates the action sequence of initiating and terminating copulation. This sexually dimorphic circuit composed of three neuronal classes - motor neurons, interneurons and mechanosensory neurons - controls the mechanics of copulation. By correlating the connectivity, function and activity of these neurons we have determined the logic for how this circuitry is coordinated to generate this male-specific behavior, and sets the stage for a circuit-level dissection of active sensing and modulation of copulatory behavior.
Topics: Animals; Copulation; Drosophila; Interneurons; Male; Motor Neurons; Neural Networks, Computer; Neural Pathways; Sensory Receptor Cells
PubMed: 27855059
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.20713 -
PeerJ 2022Asymmetric genitalia have repeatedly evolved in animals, yet the underlying causes for their evolution are mostly unknown. The fruit fly has asymmetric external...
BACKGROUND
Asymmetric genitalia have repeatedly evolved in animals, yet the underlying causes for their evolution are mostly unknown. The fruit fly has asymmetric external genitalia and an asymmetric phallus with a right-sided phallotrema (opening for sperm release). The complex of female and male genitalia is asymmetrically twisted during copulation and males adopt a right-sided copulation posture on top of the female. We wished to investigate if asymmetric male genital morphology and a twisted gentitalia complex may be associated with differential allocation of sperm into female sperm storage organs.
METHODS
We examined the internal complex of female and male reproductive organs by micro-computed tomography and synchrotron X-ray tomography before, during and after copulation. In addition, we monitored sperm aggregation states and timing of sperm transfer during copulation by premature interruption of copulation at different time-points.
RESULTS
The asymmetric phallus is located at the most caudal end of the female abdomen during copulation. The female reproductive tract, in particular the oviduct, re-arranges during copulation. It is narrow in virgin females and forms a broad vesicle at 20 min after the start of copulation. Sperm transfer into female sperm storage organs (spermathecae) was only in a minority of examined copulation trials (13/64). Also, we found that sperm was mainly transferred early, at 2-4 min after the start of copulation. We did not detect a particular pattern of sperm allocation in the left or right spermathecae. Sperm adopted a granular or filamentous aggregation state in the female uterus and spermathecae, respectively.
DISCUSSION
No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition was identified that could be associated with asymmetric genital morphology or twisted complexing of genitalia. Male genital asymmetry may potentially have evolved as a consequence of a complex internal alignment of reproductive organs during copulation in order to optimize low sperm transfer rates.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; X-Ray Microtomography; Semen; Genitalia, Male; Spermatozoa; Copulation; Drosophila
PubMed: 36447515
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14225