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RESEARCH PRODUCT
First insights into female sperm storage duration in tardigrades.
Matteo VecchiJustine ChartrainSimo PuroRiikka TynkkynenTommi VuoriŁUkasz MichalczykSara Calhimsubject
reproductionsiittiötEcologykarhukaisetspermatozoaevolutionevoluutioTardigradalisääntyminenEcology Evolution Behavior and SystematicsNature and Landscape Conservationdescription
Female sperm storage is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and it has been shown to be linked to several evolutionary processes, from postcopulatory sexual selection to dispersal. Here we report, for the first time, long-term sperm storage in females of the tardigrade Macrobiotus polonicus. Females, isolated after a short contact with a male, were able to use the stored sperm for up to 5 weeks (mean of 2 weeks), which translates to a considerable proportion of female post-mating longevity under controlled laboratory conditions (60% on average). Our study provides the first insights into the duration of sperm storage, an underexplored feature of the reproductive biology of tardigrades. Additionally, we discuss important considerations for reproductive studies on these non-model animals. peerReviewed
year | journal | country | edition | language |
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2022-01-01 | Ecology and evolution |