Abstract

Abstract. The libellulid dragonfly, Nanophya pygmaea Rambur, has an average ejaculate volume of 0.16 mm3. During successive copulations the volume of sperm stored in the female's sperm storage organs increases in steps equivalent to this volume, suggesting that the sperm competition mechanism in this species is sperm repositioning, i.e. adding an ejaculate to what is already present in the female's sperm storage organ. By using sterile/normal males in double matings with females we have shown that this mechanism results in last male sperm precedence (P2= 0.979).

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call