Genetic variation in "first" male effects on egg laying and remating by female Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract

Male Drosophila melanogaster from lines artificially selected to have divergent life histories were tested to determine if they differed in their effects on female reproductive behavior. During the first 5 days after mating, males from short-generation populations caused females to lay eggs at a faster rate than did males from long-generation populations. This faster oviposition rate resulted in greater numbers of adult progeny produced by short-generation males. During the period 6-21 days after mating, long-generation males fathered more adult progeny. Females that were first mated to short-generation males were more likely to remate than were females first mated to long-generation males. Rematings were interrupted in order to prevent transfer of second-male accessory fluid and sperm. Females that were first mated to long-generation males produced more progeny after interrupted matings than did females that were first mated to short-generation males.