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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Do pheromones reveal male immunocompetence?
Raine KortetAnssi VainikkaMarkus J. RantalaIlmari JokinenJukka Suhonensubject
MaleMealwormTime FactorsZoologyMajor histocompatibility complexChoice BehaviorGeneral Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular BiologySexual Behavior AnimalHemolymphAnimalsAntigensSex AttractantsTenebrioGeneral Environmental ScienceCommunicationGeneral Immunology and Microbiologybiologybusiness.industryForeign-Body ReactionBody WeightGeneral Medicinebiology.organism_classificationMate choiceSex pheromoneSexual selectionbiology.proteinSex AttractantsFemaleImmunocompetenceGeneral Agricultural and Biological SciencesbusinessResearch Articledescription
Pheromones function not only as mate attractors, but they may also relay important information to prospective mates. It has been shown that vertebrates can distinguish, via olfactory mechanisms, major histocompatibility complex types in their prospective mates. However, whether pheromones can transmit information about immunocompetence is unknown. Here, we show that female mealworm beetles (Tenebrio molitor) prefer pheromones from males with better immunocompetence, indicated by a faster encapsulation rate against a novel antigen, and higher levels of phenoloxidase in haemolymph. Thus, the present study indicates that pheromones could transmit information about males' parasite resistance ability and may work as a reliable sexual ornament for female choice.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-08-22 | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences |