Plasticity in reproductive effort of male dung flies (Scatophaga stercoraria) as a response to larval density

Abstract

Summary Explaining variation in reproductive effort is fundamental to understanding diversity in male mating and life‐history strategies, although relatively little is known about environmental influences on such variation and associated trade‐offs. Plasticity in reproductive effort was examined in male Yellow Dung Flies (Scatophaga stercoraria) reared under two larval density treatments. Relative testis size, thorax size and mate‐searching effort were compared, and relationships between these traits examined to look for correlational evidence of predicted trade‐offs in gonadal and mate‐searching expenditure. Males reared under high larval density conditions developed relatively larger testes than those reared at low density but no evidence was found for a corresponding reduction in mean mate‐searching effort at the population level. A negative relationship was found between testis size and mate‐searching activity among males within the high larval rearing density treatment but not among those reared at low density. Willingness to engage in struggles for possession of females increased in relation to body size among males reared at high larval density, and the opposite relationship was found among those reared at low density. Plasticity in male reproductive effort in relation to environmental conditions may be more widespread among insects than has previously been appreciated.