POSTMATING SEXUAL SELECTION: ALLOPATRIC EVOLUTION OF SPERM COMPETITION MECHANISMS AND GENITAL MORPHOLOGY IN CALOPTERYGID DAMSELFLIES (INSECTA: ODONATA)

Male pheromones and their reception by females are co-adapted to affect mating success in two subspecies of brown rats

Pheromonal communication plays a key role in the sociosexual behavior of rodents. The coadaptation between pheromones and chemosensory systems has been well illustrated in insects but poorly investigated in rodents and other mammals. We aimed to investigate whether coadaptation between male pheromones and female reception might have occurred in brown rats Rattus norvegicus. We recently reported that major urinary protein (MUP) pheromones are associated with male mating success in a brown rat subspecies, R. n. humiliatus (Rnh). Here, we discovered that MUPs were less polymorphic and occurred at much lower concentrations in males of a parapatric subspecies, R. n. caraco (Rnc), than in Rnh males, and found no association between pheromones and paternity success. Moreover, the observation of Rnc males that experienced chronic dyadic encounters and established dominance–submission relationships revealed that the dominant males achieved greater mating success than the subordinate males, but their MUP levels did not differ by social status. These findings suggest that male mating success in Rnc rats is related to social rank rather than to pheromone levels and that low concentration of MUPs might not be a reliable signal for mate choice in Rnc rats, which is different from the findings obtained in Rnh rats. In addition, compared with Rnh females, Rnc females exhibited reduced expression of pheromone receptor genes, and a lower number of vomeronasal receptor neurons were activated by MUP pheromones, which imply that the female chemosensory reception of pheromones might be structurally and functionally coadapted with male pheromone signals in brown rats.

Deep ancestral introgression shapes evolutionary history of dragonflies and damselflies

Introgression is an important biological process affecting at least 10% of the extant species in the animal kingdom. Introgression significantly impacts inference of phylogenetic species relationships where a strictly binary tree model cannot adequately explain reticulate net-like species relationships. Here we use phylogenomic approaches to understand patterns of introgression along the evolutionary history of a unique, non-model insect system: dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata). We demonstrate that introgression is a pervasive evolutionary force across various taxonomic levels within Odonata. In particular, we show that the morphologically "intermediate" species of Anisozygoptera (one of the three primary suborders within Odonata besides Zygoptera and Anisoptera), which retain phenotypic characteristics of the other two suborders, experienced high levels of introgression likely coming from zygopteran genomes. Additionally, we find evidence for multiple cases of deep inter-superfamilial ancestral introgression.

Genital morphology associated with mating strategy in the polymorphic lizard, Uta stansburiana

Sexual selection can lead to rapid evolution of sexual traits and striking morphological diversity across taxa. In populations where competition for mates is intense, males sometimes evolve distinct behavioral strategies along with morphological differences that help them secure mating opportunities. Strong postcopulatory selection and differential resource allocation across male strategy type can result in strategy-specific differences in sexual traits, such as sperm morphology, ejaculate components, and testis size. Some polymorphic species also have strategy-specific genital morphology. Thus far, among vertebrates, this has only been observed in fish. Here, we present the first morphological description of the intromittant copulatory organ, the hemipenis, of the three mating types of the side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana, from a population that exhibits alternative mating strategies. We found that the isometrically scaling hemipenis was shortest in the nonterritorial (yellow) morph that sneaks copulations with other males' mates. Although the hemipenes were generally the same shape across morphs, the usurping territorial (orange) morph had a significantly wider apical horn than the nonterritorial sneaker morph. Sneaker males also had smaller relative body masses than both the mate-guarding (blue) morph and the usurper morph, and shorter tibia than the usurper morph. This study using a small sample of males suggests that strong sexual selection may drive genital trait differentiation across morphs within populations of terrestrial vertebrates.

Sexual conflict and the evolution of genitalia: male damselflies remove more sperm when mating with a heterospecific female

In Calopteryx damselflies, males remove rivals’ sperm stored by the female, thereby reducing sperm competition. This behaviour may create a sexual conflict, because females could lose the sperm stored in the spermatheca, used for long-term storage. Comparative evidence suggested antagonistic coevolution between sexes, which might prompt the evolution of narrow spermathecal ducts, or longer spermathecae, hindering sperm removal. Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis and C. splendens coexist and sometimes hybridize. Therefore, here I predicted that if females coevolve with conspecific males, heterospecific males should have an advantage when interspecific matings occur because females will show less resistance to them than to conspecific males. By hand-pairing females to males of both species, I found that in intraspecific and interspecific matings, sperm was almost completely removed from the bursa (97–100%), but only partially from the spermathecae, with more spermathecal removal in interspecific (63–71%) than intraspecific matings (14–33%). This suggests that heterospecific males are more efficient in sperm removal as predicted by a sexually-antagonistic coevolutionary scenario. Furthermore, in most cases, only the left spermatheca was emptied, suggesting that the evolution of more than one spermatheca might also be a female counter-adaptation to regain control over fertilization.

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as a bridge between ecology and evolutionary genomics

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) present an unparalleled insect model to integrate evolutionary genomics with ecology for the study of insect evolution. Key features of Odonata include their ancient phylogenetic position, extensive phenotypic and ecological diversity, several unique evolutionary innovations, ease of study in the wild and usefulness as bioindicators for freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this review, we synthesize studies on the evolution, ecology and physiology of odonates, highlighting those areas where the integration of ecology with genomics would yield significant insights into the evolutionary processes that would not be gained easily by working on other animal groups. We argue that the unique features of this group combined with their complex life cycle, flight behaviour, diversity in ecological niches and their sensitivity to anthropogenic change make odonates a promising and fruitful taxon for genomics focused research. Future areas of research that deserve increased attention are also briefly outlined.

Pre- and Postcopulatory Traits of Salvator Male Lizards in Allopatry and Sympatry

The reproductive traits of males are under influence of sexual pressures before and after copulation. The strength of sexual selection varies across populations because they undergo varying competition for mating opportunities. Besides intraspecific pressures, individuals seem to be subjected to pressures driven by interspecific interactions in sympatry. Lizards may vary their reproductive strategies through varying sexual characters, body size, gonadal investment, and sperm traits. We evaluated the reproductive traits, involved in pre- and postcopulatory competition, in allopatric and sympatric populations of Salvator lizards. We observed a spatial gradient of male competition among populations, with the following order: allopatric zone of S. rufescens; sympatric zone; and allopatric zone of S. merianae. Accordingly, variation in secondary sexual character, the relative testis mass, and the length of sperm component was observed between allopatry and sympatry in each species, suggesting differences in the investment of reproductive traits. However, we found that these two Salvator species did not differ in secondary sexual characters in sympatry. Interestingly, the trade-off between testes and muscle varied differently from allopatry to sympatry between these Salvator species, suggesting that the influence of social context on reproductive traits investment would affect lizard species differently.

Nonadaptive radiation in damselflies

Adaptive radiations have long served as living libraries to study the build‐up of species richness; however, they do not provide good models for radiations that exhibit negligible adaptive disparity. Here, we review work on damselflies to argue that nonadaptive mechanisms were predominant in the radiation of this group and have driven species divergence through sexual selection arising from male–female mating interactions. Three damselfly genera (Calopteryx,Enallagma and Ischnura) are highlighted and the extent of (i) adaptive ecological divergence in niche use and (ii) nonadaptive differentiation in characters associated with reproduction (e.g. sexual morphology and behaviours) was evaluated. We demonstrate that species diversification in the genus Calopteryx is caused by nonadaptive divergence in coloration and behaviour affecting premating isolation, and structural differentiation in reproductive morphology affecting postmating isolation. Similarly, the vast majority of diversification events in the sister genera Enallagma and Ischnura are entirely driven by differentiation in genital structures used in species recognition. The finding that closely related species can show negligible ecological differences yet are completely reproductively isolated suggests that the evolution of reproductive isolation can be uncoupled from niche‐based divergent natural selection, challenging traditional niche models of species coexistence.

Copulatory wounding and traumatic insemination

Copulatory wounding (CW) is widespread in the animal kingdom, but likely underreported because of its cryptic nature. We use four case studies (Drosophila flies, Siphopteron slugs, Cimex bugs, and Callosobruchus beetles) to show that CW entails physiological and life-history costs, but can evolve into a routine mating strategy that, in some species, involves insemination through the wound. Although interspecific variation in CW is documented, few data exist on intraspecific and none on individual differences. Although defensive mechanisms evolve in the wound recipient, our review also indicates that mating costs in species with CW are slightly higher than in other species. Whether such costs are dose- or frequency-dependent, and whether defense occurs as resistance or tolerance, decisively affects the evolutionary outcome. In addition to sexual conflict, CW may also become a model system for reproductive isolation. In this context, we put forward a number of predictions, including (1) occasional CW is more costly than routine CW, (2) CW is more costly in between- than within-population matings, and (3) in the presence of CW, selection may favor the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases if they induce resource allocation. Finally, we outline, and briefly discuss, several medical implications of CW in humans.

Left-handed sperm removal by male Calopteryx damselflies (Odonata)

Male genitalia in several insect species are asymmetry in right and left shape. However, the function of such asymmetric male genitalia is still unclear. We found that the male genitalia of the damselfly Calopteryx cornelia (Odonata: Calopterygidae) are morphologically symmetric just after emergence but asymmetric after reproductive maturation. Males remove rival sperm stored in the female bursa copulatrix (single spherical sac) and the following spermatheca (Y-shaped tubular sac) prior to their own ejaculation to prevent sperm competition. Males possess the aedeagus with a recurved head to remove bursal sperm and a pair of spiny lateral processes to remove spermathecal sperm. The right lateral process is less developed than the left, and sperm stored in the right spermathecal tube are rarely removed. Experiments involving surgical cutting of each lateral process demonstrated that only the left process functions in spermathecal sperm removal. Thus, males of C. cornelia are left-handed in their sperm removal behaviour at copulation.

Freshwater biodiversity and aquatic insect diversification

Inland waters cover less than 1% of Earth's surface but harbor more than 6% of all insect species: Nearly 100,000 species from 12 orders spend one or more life stages in freshwater. Little is known about how this remarkable diversity arose, although allopatric speciation and ecological adaptation are thought to be primary mechanisms. Freshwater habitats are highly susceptible to environmental change and exhibit marked ecological gradients. Standing waters appear to harbor more dispersive species than running waters, but there is little understanding of how this fundamental ecological difference has affected diversification. In contrast to the lack of evolutionary studies, the ecology and habitat preferences of aquatic insects have been intensively studied, in part because of their widespread use as bioindicators. The combination of phylogenetics with the extensive ecological data provides a promising avenue for future research, making aquatic insects highly suitable models for the study of ecological diversification.

Allometry of secondary, primary, and nonsexual traits in the beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo meridionalis)

The static allometry between the size of a trait and the body size results from the net selection forces acting on the evolution of both the trait and the body size. An increased knowledge of the functional significance of traits is necessary to understand observed allometric patterns. We studied several traits of males of the beautiful demoiselle ( Calopteryx virgo meridionalis Sélys, 1873), for which there is a good functional knowledge of the genitalic traits and ornaments. We found positive allometry for the wing spot size (considered a secondary sexual trait) and for the distal width (but not length) of the anal appendages, which are used for grasping the female prior to copulation. Regarding the male secondary genitalia, the length but not the width of the big horns of the aedeagus showed an isometric pattern. The aedeagus shaft length showed a negative allometric pattern, while its distal width did not show a significant regression. The slopes of the regressions were higher when using wing length than when using body length as estimators of body size, with the exception of wing spot length. Results are discussed based on the functional significance of the study traits, as well as the pre- and post-copulatory selective pressures acting on them.

An integrative approach to species discovery in odonates: from character-based DNA barcoding to ecology

Modern taxonomy requires an analytical approach incorporating all lines of evidence into decision-making. Such an approach can enhance both species identification and species discovery. The character-based DNA barcode method provides a molecular data set that can be incorporated into classical taxonomic data such that the discovery of new species can be made in an analytical framework that includes multiple sources of data. We here illustrate such a corroborative framework in a dragonfly model system that permits the discovery of two new, but visually cryptic species. In the African dragonfly genus Trithemis three distinct genetic clusters can be detected which could not be identified by using classical taxonomic characters. In order to test the hypothesis of two new species, DNA-barcodes from different sequence markers (ND1 and COI) were combined with morphological, ecological and biogeographic data sets. Phylogenetic analyses and incorporation of all data sets into a scheme called taxonomic circle highly supports the hypothesis of two new species. Our case study suggests an analytical approach to modern taxonomy that integrates data sets from different disciplines, thereby increasing the ease and reliability of both species discovery and species assignment.

Natural selection and genital variation: a role for the environment, parasites and sperm ageing?

Male genitalia are more variable between species (and populations) than other organs, and are more morphologically complex in polygamous compared to monogamous species. Therefore, sexual selection has been put forward as the major explanation of genital variation and complexity, in particular cryptic female choice for male copulatory courtship. As cryptic female choice is based on differences between males it is somewhat paradoxical that there is such low within-species variation in male genitalia that they are a prime morphological identification character for animal species. Processes other than sexual selection may also lead to genitalia variation but they have recently become neglected. Here I focus on pleiotropy and natural selection and provide examples how they link genitalia morphology with genital environments. Pleiotropy appears to be important because most studies that specifically tested for pleiotropic effects on genital morphology found them. Natural selection likely favours certain genital morphology over others in various environments, as well as by reducing re-infection with sexually transmitted diseases or reducing the likelihood of fertilisation with aged sperm. Both pleiotropy and natural selection differ locally and between species so may contribute to local variation in genitalia and sometimes variation between monogamous and polygamous species. Furthermore, the multitude of genital environments will lead to a multitude of genital functions via natural selection and pleiotropy, and may also contribute to explaining the complexity of genitalia.

Function of multiple sperm-storage organs in female damselflies (Ischnura senegalensis): difference in amount of ejaculate stored, sperm loss, and priority in fertilization

We studied changes in the number of sperm within two kinds of female sperm-storage organ in the damselfly Ischnura senegalensis (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): the bursa copulatrix and the spermatheca. We counted the number of sperm within each storage organ and tested their viability after a single copulation in female damselflies kept for seven days with and without oviposition. We also counted sperm and tested their viability in females that underwent an interrupted second copulation after the sperm-removal stage, and after subsequent oviposition. Our results showed that the bursa copulatrix and spermatheca have different sperm storage roles. Immediately after copulation, most eggs appear to have been fertilized with bursal sperm, which were positioned near the fertilization point. By seven days after copulation, a greater proportion of spermathecal sperm were used for fertilization, as the number of bursal sperm had decreased. We hypothesize that female damselflies use the spermatheca for long-term storage and the bursa copulatrix for short-term storage: bursal sperm are more likely to be used for fertilization but may have a higher risk of mortality due to sperm removal by a competing male and/or sperm expelling by the female, whereas spermathecal sperm are safer but will be used for fertilization only after their release from the spermatheca.

Possible coevolution of male and female genital form and function in a calopterygid damselfly

In this paper some evolutionary changes of genitalia in the damselfly Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis are investigated by determining their current and past function. Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis males stimulate females by aedeagal frictioning on a set of vaginal sensilla. The aedeagus is considerably variable and positively correlates with volumes of ejected sperm from the spermatheca. Interestingly, females show a significantly reduced sensillum number compared with other family members. Here I explore whether there existed directional selection for aedeagal width at its evolutionary onset; and whether the sensillum reduction evolved to make sperm ejection less effective. Using C. haemorrhoidalis aedeagi in females whose species retained the ancestral conditions (no stimulatory ability and large sensillum numbers), Hetaerina cruentata and C. xanthostoma, my results corroborated these assumptions: variation in aedeagal width inversely correlated with sperm ejection rate while sperm ejection was higher in species with high sensillum numbers. A suggested coevolutionary interpretation of these results in C. haemorrhoidalis is that aedeagal width was favoured which was followed by a sensillum reduction.