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Motility and the midpiece in primates

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew J. Anderson

    (Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego)

  • Alan F. Dixson

    (Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego)

Abstract

In animals with multiple-partner mating systems, the gametes of two or more males must compete to fertilize a given set of ova1,2,3,4,5. Here we show that the volume of the midpiece in individual sperm is significantly greater in primate species in which the females mate with multiple partners, and in which males have larger testes in relation to their body weight, than in those species that mate with only one partner and have relatively small testes. Our results indicate that sexual selection by sperm competition has influenced the evolution of a specific component of male-gamete morphology, the volume of the sperm midpiece.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew J. Anderson & Alan F. Dixson, 2002. "Motility and the midpiece in primates," Nature, Nature, vol. 416(6880), pages 496-496, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:416:y:2002:i:6880:d:10.1038_416496a
    DOI: 10.1038/416496a
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    Cited by:

    1. Simone Immler & Harry DM Moore & William G Breed & Tim R Birkhead, 2007. "By Hook or by Crook? Morphometry, Competition and Cooperation in Rodent Sperm," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(1), pages 1-5, January.
    2. Ariel F. Kahrl & Robert M. Cox, 2015. "Diet affects ejaculate traits in a lizard with condition-dependent fertilization success," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1502-1511.

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