Phytoparasitica (2003) 31 (3) - Offspring fitness as a ...

Ally Harari, Y. Gazit and Ruti Akiva (2003)
Offspring fitness as a consequence of female choice of mates in the Mediterranean fruit fly
Phytoparasitica 31 (3)
Abstracts 20th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, Feb. 11-12, 2003
Abstract: The effect of the female's choice of mate on her offspring's fitness is a fundamental question in sexual selection theory. Choosing females may gain fitness through direct material benefits, 'sexy son' advantages, or through 'good genes'. The effect of 'good genes' is the most difficult to demonstrate because environmental conditions often conceal the effect of genetic components. Therefore, studies relating genetic benefit to offspring fitness are scarce. In the present study we demonstrated the effect of 'good genes' on fitness of chosen males' offspring in the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. One group of females was allowed to choose their mates, whereas another group of females mated with males randomly assigned by us. Eggs of both groups were placed with a similar number of eggs of a mutant fly in a limited space and restricted food supply; hence, the competition between individuals was inevitable. The number of pupating individuals, pupation rate, and size at pupation were measured as indications of fitness in both groups of offspring. Offspring of males chosen by females had a greater number of pupae than offspring of randomly mated males. The pupation rate of chosen males' offspring was faster than that of males that were assigned to females randomly. The chosen males' offspring were significantly heavier than offspring of non-choosing females. These three different indicators of fitness, gained by offspring of choosing females, were the consequence of different competition pressure on the offspring as larvae.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Ally Rachel Harari, Yoav Gazit

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ceratitis capitata