TY - JOUR
T1 - Age- and size-dependent mating performance and fertility in a pelagic copepod, Temora longicornis
AU - Sichlau, Mie Hylstofte
AU - Kiørboe, Thomas
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Prepress abstract: In many species, size and age have been shown to be strong determinants of the reproductive success for both sexes. Here we examine age- and size dependent reproductive performance (egg- and sperm production, mating success) in a pelagic copepod. Compared to smaller males, larger males produce larger spermatophores containing more spermatozoa, and fertilize a larger fraction of available females. Females mating with large males produce more offspring than those mating with small males. Similarly, large females have higher egg production rates as well as a higher life-time egg production than small females. Ageing effects are evident in this species: Mortality rate increases and fertility decreases rapidly with age. The average adult longevity under optimal laboratory conditions was 30 days in both males and females, but females produce eggs for only 18 days, and males can fertilize females for only about eight days after they mature. The strong size- and age-dependent fertility observed in this species is conducive to the development of sexual selection via mate choice for young and large partners, as has been shown in one other copepod species
AB - Prepress abstract: In many species, size and age have been shown to be strong determinants of the reproductive success for both sexes. Here we examine age- and size dependent reproductive performance (egg- and sperm production, mating success) in a pelagic copepod. Compared to smaller males, larger males produce larger spermatophores containing more spermatozoa, and fertilize a larger fraction of available females. Females mating with large males produce more offspring than those mating with small males. Similarly, large females have higher egg production rates as well as a higher life-time egg production than small females. Ageing effects are evident in this species: Mortality rate increases and fertility decreases rapidly with age. The average adult longevity under optimal laboratory conditions was 30 days in both males and females, but females produce eggs for only 18 days, and males can fertilize females for only about eight days after they mature. The strong size- and age-dependent fertility observed in this species is conducive to the development of sexual selection via mate choice for young and large partners, as has been shown in one other copepod species
U2 - 10.3354/meps09402
DO - 10.3354/meps09402
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0171-8630
VL - 442
SP - 123
EP - 132
JO - Marine Ecology - Progress Series
JF - Marine Ecology - Progress Series
ER -