Molecular evidence for variation in polyandry among praying mantids (Mantodea: Ciulfina)

K. D. L. Umbers, G. I. Holwell, A. J. Stow, M. E. Herberstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Estimating paternity patterns provides insights into the importance of competing evolutionary forces on mating systems. The number of sires contributing to a female’s offspring is mostly influenced by her relative promiscuity. However, in a postcopulatory context, it will also be affected by sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Here, we describe the paternity patterns of two species of praying mantis from the genus Ciulfina, the agile praying mantid. This study is the first to describe patterns of paternity in the Mantodea. We found a variation in paternity in these two closely related species. Ciulfina rentzi exhibited single paternity, with a single male siring all offspring within a clutch. By contrast, Ciulfina klassi displayed multiple paternity, with the minimum number of fathers contributing to a clutch ranging from one to four. Differences in copulation duration and reproductive output between these two species may help to explain these paternity patterns.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-45
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Zoology
Volume284
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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