| Sperm competition promotes the exploitation of rival ejaculates. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16901507 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In many polyandrous species, the second male to mate with a female has fertilization priority. Strategic mechanisms generating this pattern tend to involve facultative increases in ejaculate size by informed males. Here we suggest a novel mechanism to generate second male precedence in internal fertilizers, based on the established fact that the female site of insemination is hostile to sperm, and that non-sperm components of the ejaculate frequently act to ameliorate these hostile conditions. We suggest that in species where female remating is frequent and rapid, second male sperm precedence may be due to the prior buffering of the female tract by previous males' ejaculates. In this scenario, second male costs are lower due to reduced sperm mortality and/or the redundancy of seminal fluid. Contrary to many classical predictions, second males may gain a paternity advantage despite investing less in an ejaculate. |
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Authors:
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D J Hodgson; D J Hosken |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review Date: 2006-07-01 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of theoretical biology Volume: 243 ISSN: 0022-5193 ISO Abbreviation: J. Theor. Biol. Publication Date: 2006 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-10-18 Completed Date: 2007-01-18 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0376342 Medline TA: J Theor Biol Country: Netherlands |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 230-4 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK. D.J.Hodgson@exeter.ac.uk |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Ejaculation / physiology Female Fertilization / physiology* Male Paternity Semen / physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology* Spermatozoa / physiology* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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