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RESEARCH PRODUCT
The evolution of sperm morphometry in pheasants
Y. RomanM. Saint-jalmeSimone ImmlerTim R. BirkheadL. LesobreG. Sorcisubject
0106 biological sciencesMale[ SDV.BDLR.RS ] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Reproductive Biology/Sexual reproductionsperm storage duration01 natural sciencessperm competitionSperm heteromorphism[ SDV.EE.IEO ] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology environment/SymbiosisMESH: AnimalsMESH : FemaleMESH : EvolutionGalliformesMESH : Mating Preference Animalcomparative studypheasantsreproductive and urinary physiology0303 health sciencesLikelihood FunctionsMESH : Galliformes[SDV.BID.EVO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biodiversity/Populations and Evolution [q-bio.PE]MESH: SpermatozoaMESH: GalliformesAnatomyBiological EvolutionSpermatozoaMESH: Mating Preference AnimalFemale sperm storage[ SDV.BID.EVO ] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biodiversity/Populations and Evolution [q-bio.PE]Sexual selectionFemaleMESH : Likelihood Functionsendocrine systemMESH : MaleZoologyBiologyInsemination010603 evolutionary biologyPheasantfemale reproductive biology[SDV.BDLR.RS]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Reproductive Biology/Sexual reproductionsperm morphometry03 medical and health sciencesbiology.animalReproductive biologyMESH: EvolutionMESH : SpermatozoaMESH: Cell ShapeAnimalsSperm competitionCell ShapeEcology Evolution Behavior and Systematics030304 developmental biologyurogenital systemMESH : FertilizationMating Preference AnimalSpermMESH: MaleFertilizationMESH: FertilizationMESH: Likelihood FunctionsMESH : AnimalsMESH : Cell ShapeMESH: Female[SDV.EE.IEO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology environment/Symbiosisdescription
7 pages; International audience; Post-copulatory sexual selection is thought to be a potent evolutionary force driving the diversification of sperm shape and function across species. In birds, insemination and fertilization are separated in time and sperm storage increases the duration of sperm-female interaction and hence the opportunity for sperm competition and cryptic female choice. We performed a comparative study of 24 pheasant species (Phasianidae, Galliformes) to establish the relative importance of sperm competition and the duration of sperm storage for the evolution of sperm morphometry (i.e. size of different sperm traits). We found that sperm size traits were negatively associated with the duration of sperm storage but were independent of the risk of sperm competition estimated from relative testis mass. Our study emphasizes the importance of female reproductive biology for the evolution of sperm morphometry particularly in sperm-storing taxa.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 |