The reproductive status of both sexes affects the frequency of mating and the reproductive success of males in the ball roller beetle Canthon cyanellus cyanellus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

AbstractSeveral studies have shown that males assess female reproductive status and use different mechanisms to increase their reproductive success. However, a male's reproductive status can also affect its own reproductive success. In Canthon cyanellus cyanellus, a male–female pair makes several brood balls during nesting and both care for the brood balls. However, in females that are transported to the nest by males, the spermatheca is often already filled with viable sperm from other males, such that sperm competition is strong. We analyze the effect of the reproductive status of males and females on the frequency of mating during brood ball construction, as well as the reproductive success of males that nest with previously mated females. Virgin and previously mated males copulated with the same frequency before the construction of each brood ball when they nested with virgin females. However, when both types of males nested with previously mated females, the frequency of mating increased before the construction of the first brood ball. The paternity of previously mated males was significantly higher (82%) than that of virgin males (62%). Therefore, the reproductive status of both sexes of C. c. cyanellus affects the frequency of mating and the reproductive success of males.