Birçok çalı çekirgesi türünde erkekler, çiftleşme öncesinde dişilere oldukça
büyük bir spermatofor transfer ederler. Spermatofor sperm içeren ampulla ve
jelatinimsi yapıda olan bir spermatofilakstan oluşur. Bu çalışmada Phonochorion
uvarovi model organizma olarak kullanılarak, virjin ve virjin olmayan erkeklerde
yaşın spermatofor yatırımı (spermatofilaks ağırlığı, ampulla ağırlığı ve sperm sayısı)
ve sperm transferi üzerine olan etkileri araştırılmıştır. Yapılan çalışmada erkeğin
yaşının, erkeğe maliyeti hayli yüksek olan spermator yatırımda ve olası sperm
rekabetinde oldukça büyük bir etkisinin olduğu bulunmuştur. Bu çalışmada yaşlı ve
virjin erkeklerin ampullarının genç ve virjin erkeklere göre fazla sperm içerdiği
gösterilmiştir. Yaşlı erkekler ejakulat koruma hipoteziyle ilişkili olarak daha büyük
spermatofor oluşturmuşlardır. Bulgularımıza göre erkeğin yaşı ve çiftleşme statüsü
çiftleşme başarısı üzerinde etkilidir. Dişi P. uvarovi, erkeğin yaşı ve bunu bağlı
olarak yaptığı yatırımla ilişkili olarak doğada yaşlı erkekleri çiftleşmek için tercih
edebilir.,In numerous bushcricket species the male transfers a large spermatophore to
the female during mating. Such a spermatophore consists of two parts, the smaller
sperm containing ampulla and the larger jelly like spermatophylax. In this study, the
effects of mating status (virgin and nonvirgin) male age on sperm allocation and
spermatophore investment (spermatophore weight, spermatofilax weight, ampulla
weight and sperm number) was determined using as a model organism Phonochorion
uvarovi. We examined the effects of male age had a significant effect on the
allacation because of possible sperm competition and spermatophore investment
which is considerable cost of the male. This study has shown that old and virgin male
have more absolute sperm number in his ampulla than young virgin male. Older
males allocated the bigger spermatophore, supported the ejeculate protection
hypothesis. According to our findings male age and mating status seem likely to be
efficiently correlated in mating success. We conclude that female P. uvarovi
probably prefer old males, because in the field, this preference correlates with male
age and therefore resources provided at mating.
In numerous bushcricket species the male transfers a large spermatophore to
the female during mating. Such a spermatophore consists of two parts, the smaller
sperm containing ampulla and the larger jelly like spermatophylax. In this study, the
effects of mating status (virgin and nonvirgin) male age on sperm allocation and
spermatophore investment (spermatophore weight, spermatofilax weight, ampulla
weight and sperm number) was determined using as a model organism Phonochorion
uvarovi. We examined the effects of male age had a significant effect on the
allacation because of possible sperm competition and spermatophore investment
which is considerable cost of the male. This study has shown that old and virgin male
have more absolute sperm number in his ampulla than young virgin male. Older
males allocated the bigger spermatophore, supported the ejeculate protection
hypothesis. According to our findings male age and mating status seem likely to be
efficiently correlated in mating success. We conclude that female P. uvarovi
probably prefer old males, because in the field, this preference correlates with male
age and therefore resources provided at mating.
