PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Theoretical models predict that males should allocate sperm in response to female quality and empirical studies have shown that fecundity traits including age, mass and mating status can influence male sperm allocation strategies. We tested whether female size has an influence on sperm allocation in the bushcricket Poecilimon jonicus jonicus (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae). Contrary to other studies, we found neither evidence of strategic sperm allocation in response to female size nor an effect of female size on spermatophore size. Male age and mating history was positively related to sperm number during sequential matings, but had no effect on spermatophylax or ampulla weight. Spermatophore weight, but not sperm number, was positively correlated with male body weight. Ampulla weight was positively correlated with spermatophylax weight.