Damselfly females prefer hot males: higher courtship success in males in sunspots |
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Authors: | Yoshitaka Tsubaki Yuka Samejima Michael T Siva-Jothy |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Hirano 2-509-3, Otsu 520-2113, Japan;(2) Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK |
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Abstract: | Males of some territorial calopterygid damselflies show an elaborate courtship display that involves high-frequency wing-beats
directed toward an incoming female. Although it has been suggested that female mate preference is based on some characteristics
of male’s courtship display, it is unclear whether the courtship display varies between males or is influenced by environmental
conditions. We combined two recent technologies, thermographic imaging and high-speed digital videography, to show that the
wing-beat frequency during courtship (i.e., courtship intensity) in a damselfly, Mnais costalis, is correlated with thorax temperature. Our data indicated that (1) male thorax temperature was associated with solar exposure
in his territory, (2) environmentally derived thermal gain enhanced courtship intensity, (3) hotter males were more likely
to copulate than others, and (4) female thorax temperature during oviposition within a territory was associated with solar
exposure. Males with territories that have longer exposure to sun spots are expected to attain higher thorax temperatures
for longer and so are able to successfully court more females. We suggest that females benefit from mating with hot males
because they will be on a warmer territory while ovipositing. Hot males might also have greater mate guarding ability, and/or
eggs may develop faster in warmer territories. |
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