Courtship Duration Research Articles

Mating behavior and three types of mating songs of the sandy beach-dwelling ground cricket Dianemobius csikii (Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae, Nemobiinae)

This study aimed to investigate the mating behavior of the sandy beach-dwelling ground cricket, Dianemobius csikii (Bolívar, 1901) (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae, Nemobiinae). The calling songs of males were recorded, and the temporal structures of the songs were analyzed. Subsequently, the courtship song and mating behavior of cricket pairs were observed. The calling song consisted only of monotonous chirps, while the courtship song consisted of similar chirps and ticks consisting of a single pulse. Dianemobius csikii exhibited a relatively longer courtship duration than other cricket species. The female stayed with the male for approximately 25 min while the male emitted the courtship song. The male then changed to the trill song, which is a continuous song, just before copulation. Copulation occurred within 10–40 s of the male emitting the trill song. The courtship behavior differs from that of other well-studied cricket species, such as Gryllinae. The findings of this study provide insight into the mating behaviors of crickets.

Plasticity in moth mating behavior and ejaculate proteomic diversity induced by male competition

In male competition, large and costly ejaculates are advantageous. Prior research on male accessory gland secretions in Plutella xylostella left open questions about how males modulate their mating behaviors and ejaculate composition allocation in response to varying levels of competition. The current study aimed to delve deeper into these unexplored facets. A totally of 928 ejaculate proteins were identified across males exposed to different competition conditions. Notably, males courting under non–, low-, and high-competition scenarios exhibited 867, 635, and 858 ejaculate proteins, respectively. Approximately 10% of these ejaculate proteins displayed variations that aligned with changes in competition intensity. Subsequent analyses focused on the proteins transferred to females, revealing that 44% of ejaculate proteins were transferred, with 37 proteins exhibiting differential expression. Functional analyses uncovered their crucial roles in sperm maturation, motility, and capacitation. Our findings reveal adaptive adjustments in ejaculate protein abundance and transmission in P. xylostella as a response to varying competition levels. Moreover, fluorescent sperm labeling indicated higher sperm transfer during low competition correlated with shorter sperm length. Furthermore, evidence suggests that males shorten their courtship duration and extend their mating duration when faced with competition. These results illustrate how competition drives ejaculate investment and behavioral plasticity, offering valuable insights for advancements in assisted reproductive technologies and pest management strategies.

Does female control and male mating system predict courtship investment and mating outcomes? A comparative study in five widow spider species (genus Latrodectus) tested under similar laboratory conditions

BackgroundMale courtship investment may evolve in response to the male’s expectation of future mating opportunities or the degree of female control during mating interactions. We used a comparative approach to test this hypotheses by assessing the courtship and mating behaviors of five widow spider species (genus Latrodectus) under common laboratory conditions. We predicted male investment in courtship would be higher in species where males mate only once because of high cannibalism rates (monogyny, L. geometricus, L. hasselti, L. mirabilis), compared to species with rare cannibalism (L. mactans, L. hesperus) in which males should reserve energy for future mating opportunities. Increased male investment, measured as courtship duration, might also evolve with increased female control over mating outcomes if females prefer longer courtships. We tested this by assessing the frequency of copulations, timing of sexual cannibalism, and the degree of female-biased size dimorphism, which is expected to be negatively correlated with the energetic cost of rebuffing male mating attempts.ResultsCopulation frequency was consistently lower in species with extreme female-skewed size dimorphism, and where sexual cannibalism was more prevalent, suggesting the importance of female control for mating outcomes. We confirmed significant interspecific variation in average courtship duration, but contrary to predictions, it was not predicted by male mating system, and there was no consistent link between courtship duration and sexual size dimorphism.ConclusionWe show that the degree of sexual dimorphism is not only correlated with sexual cannibalism, but also with mating success since restriction of male copulation frequency by female Latrodectus affects paternity. However, predictions about male mating system or female control affecting courtship duration were not supported. We propose that the form of female control over mating and cannibalism, and male responses, might be more informative for understanding the evolution of courtship duration. For example, male tactics to avoid female aggression may drive lower courtship duration in species like L. mirabilis. Nonetheless, our results differ from inferences based on published studies of each species in isolation, illuminating the need for standardized data collection for behavioural comparative studies.

A variance-partitioning approach for assessing mate choice and which sex controls mating behavior

Abstract Mating behavior arises from interactions between males and females. The precopulatory stage includes various male and female mating behaviors that are potentially influenced (independently or jointly) by each sex, thereby shaping the dynamics of this stage. However, limited attention has been given to determining the relative contributions of males and females to the expression of precopulatory behaviors. Here, we adopted a variance-partitioning approach to assess which sex controls each precopulatory behavior. This approach also enabled us to evaluate the existence of mate choice by assessing whether the expression of precopulatory behavior depends on the identity of the opposite-sex partner. In our study, using the bean bug Riptortus pedestris, we exposed individual males and females to different opposite-sex partners (i.e., mating assays) up to six times. During the mating assay, we measured multiple precopulatory behaviors (e.g., latency to mount, courtship rate, courtship duration, and duration of position change). Variance partitioning showed that the variation in each precopulatory behavior could be attributed solely to either sex but not to both sexes. Hence, the precopulatory stage of R. pedestris comprises a combination of male-controlled and female-controlled behaviors. We also suggested that mate choice was absent in both sexes of R. pedestris in the postmounting and precopulatory stages. Our findings highlight the importance of the variance-partitioning approach in the study of mating behavior, as it facilitates the investigation of whether mate choice occurs at specific mating stages and enhances our understanding of evolutionary dynamics during mating.

Mating behavior and responses to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid in the predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis.

Mating is an essential factor that governs the size of insect populations that reproduce sexually. The extensive application of insecticides has both lethal and sublethal effects on the physiology and mating behavior of insect natural enemies. The predatory bug Cyrtorhinus lividipennis is a natural enemy of planthopper and leafhopper populations in the rice ecosystem. Unfortunately, the effects of insecticides on the mating behavior of C. lividipennis are not well-understood. The mating behavior of C. livdipennis consisted of mounting, antennal touch and mating attempts, genital insertion, adjustment of posture, and separation of the mating pair. Approximately 82.5% of the C. lividipennis mating pairs displayed their first mating at 12-36 h postemergence. Mating activity occurred throughout a 24-h period, with peak activity at 12:00-14:00 h, and the mean duration of mating was 48.75 min. Sublethal exposure to imidacloprid increased mating latency. Compared with the controls, the duration of courtship, pre-mating and adjusting posture for males treated with imidacloprid were prolonged. The duration of mating for females treated with imidacloprid was prolonged relative to untreated controls. The fecundity and daily spawning capacity of females treated with imidacloprid were higher than the untreated controls. Our results provide insight into the mating process of C. lividipennis. Imidacloprid prolonged the duration of mating, which may explain the enhanced reproductive output in C. lividipennis females treated with imidacloprid. These findings will be useful in both rearing C. lividipennis and deploying this natural enemy in rice fields. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

OBSERVATIONS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIORS IN GOATS (CAPRA HIRCUS) RAISED ON NON-PROFESSIONAL FARMS

This study focuses on monitoring the sexual behaviours of male and female goats (Capra hircus) at each stage of mounting and observing sexual reflexes and related peculiarities. The ethological behaviours of females and males were observed twice per day, between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. and between 19:00 and 21:00 p.m, and the anatomical parts of females in estrus were inspected and scanned. Each mount was recorded using a video camera. A digital timer was also used to record the stages of sexual act (prelude and copulation). The sexual behaviours of a common breed of goats reared in non-professional holdings was studied in August, September and October 2020 and 2021. Sexual behaviour was observed in a total of 24 goats, 5 males, aged 3–8 years, and 19 females, aged 1–10 years, raised in a rural area (Priponesti) in Galati County. The data gathered provide details of the sexual behavior of this species, supplementing the information currently available. The most numerous mounts were carried out by the 4-year-old buck (M1 male) with 7 out of 20, representing 35% of the total mounts observed. The mount was characterized by very high duration of courtship (average 98%) compared to the true mounting (average 2%) (p < 0.05). The postlude behavioural manifestations observed were bucks continuing to inspect the anogenital area of the female, wagging their tongues while the goats expressed a characteristic bleat.

Investment Trade-Off between Mating Behavior and Tonic Immobility in the Sweetpotato Weevil Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae).

Numerous studies have confirmed that the trade-off between anti-predator behavior and mating behavior occurs in certain insect species. This suggests that insects invest more in anti-predator behavior, and fewer resources or time can be used in mating behavior. However, few studies focus on tonic immobility, an important anti-predator behavior in nature, and different stages in mating behavior. Tonic immobility (TI) is considered to be an important anti-predator behavior. Herein, we investigated the relationship between TI and mating behavior in the sweetpotato weevil (SPW), Cylas formicarius. As the first step, we artificially selected SPWs for the longer duration of TI (L-strain) and the shorter duration of TI (S-strain). The effect of courtship and copulation on the duration of TI in two artificial selection strains was tested. Furthermore, we compared the frequency and duration of two mating behaviors in four kinds of pairs (LF×LM, LF×SM, SF×LM, and SF×SM: LM-L-strain male; SM-S-strain male; LF-L-strain female; SF-S-strain female). Finally, we tested insemination success in four kinds of pairs (male and female SPWs from the L-strain or the S-strain). The courtship and copulation significantly reduced the duration of TI. Pairs with males from the L-strain showed lower frequency and longer duration of courtship than pairs with males from the S-strain. Similarly, males from L-strain pairs showed a longer period of copulation than pairs with males from the S-strain. However, there is no significant difference in the frequency of copulation and the success of insemination. These results support that there was a significant trade-off between TI and courtship as well as copulation in the SPW.

The effects of prey lipid on female mating and reproduction of a wolf spider.

As predators, the macronutrients spiders extract from their prey play important roles in their mating and reproduction. Previous studies of macronutrients on spider mating and reproduction focus on protein, the potential impact of prey lipid content on spider mating and reproduction remains largely unexplored. Here, we tested the influence of prey varying in lipid content on female mating, sexual cannibalism, reproduction, and offspring fitness in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata. We acquired 2 groups of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that differed significantly in lipid but not protein content by supplementing cultural media with a high or low dose of sucrose on which the fruit flies were reared (HL: high lipid and LL: low lipid). Subadult (i.e., 1 molt before adult) female spiders that fed HL flies matured with significantly higher lipid content than those fed LL flies. We found that the mated females fed with HL flies significantly shortened pre-oviposition time and resulted in a significantly higher fecundity. However, there was no significant difference in female spiders varying in lipid content on other behaviors and traits, including the latency to courtship, courtship duration, mating, copulation duration, sexual cannibalism, offspring body size, and survival. Hence, our results suggest that the lipid content of prey may be a limiting factor for female reproduction, but not for other behavioral traits in the wolf spiders P. pseudoannulata.

Successive matings affect copulatory courtship but not sperm transfer in a spider model

Abstract Previous studies have reported that males augment their reproductive success by increasing the number of females with which they copulate, and that such copulations are not energetically demanding in terms of trivial sperm production costs. However, we now know that males do pay reproductive costs. As males mate successively, a reduction in the performance of copulatory behaviours would be expected, as well as in the number of sperm transferred. Here we compared the duration of courtship, mating and post-insemination phase, the number of genital and non-genital copulatory courtship occurrences, and the number of sperm transferred in successive matings in Holocnemus pluchei spider males. As matings increased in males, there was no effect on the duration of courtship, mating or post-insemination phase. Interestingly, genital copulatory courtship varied in successive copulations depending on male size, but there was no change in the number of sperm transferred. In addition, the occurrence of non-genital copulatory courtship decreased along successive copulations. The negative effects of successive matings on copulatory courtship indicate that these behaviours are costly for males, except for the number of sperm transferred. Our research lays the foundation for future studies on male costs as a function of mating history in spiders.

Multiple Mating of Aphelinus asychis Enhance the Number of Female Progeny but Shorten the Longevity.

Simple SummaryAphelinus asychis Walker is an arrhenotocia endoparasitoid against the devastating vegetable pest Myzus persicae. Unmated Aphelinus asychis females only produce male progeny, and mated female adults produce male and female progeny. Because only female adults can kill the target pest by parasitism and feeding, the control efficiency of Aphelinus asychis was mainly affected by the percentage of female adults. We found that Aphelinus asychis females could mate multiple times to receive more sperm in their life span, which was beneficial for enhancing the number and percentage of female progeny. In addition, backcrossing is critical for population increase when the proportion of males is low. We also found that there was no significant difference in the population fitness of Aphelinus asychis between backcross and control treatments.The Aphelinus asychis female adult is an important arrhenotocous parthenogenesis parasitoid of Myzus persicae, and its reproductive mode is beneficial for the population continuation of A. asychis by way of multiple mating and backcross. To explore the effect of mating on the population fitness and control efficiency of A. asychis, its mating frequency and backcross were observed under laboratory conditions. The results showed that most matings in A. asychis involved four distinct stages: courtship, pre-copulatory, copulation, and post-copulatory behaviours. Only the duration of courtship increased significantly with an increase in copulation frequency for females, and the courtship duration of A. asychis females mated with different males were significantly shorter than those mated with the same male at the same mating times, which suggested that A. asychis females might prefer to mate with different males to enrich the genotype of their offspring. The total number of mummified aphids and the female and male longevity decreased significantly with an increase in mating frequency. On the contrary, female progenies increased significantly with an increase of mating frequency, suggesting that sperm limitation might occur in females when they only mated once. These results imply that females might prefer to receive more sperm by mating multiple times in their life span. In addition, we found that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) of A. asychis of the control group (0.2858 d−1) was significantly greater than that in the backcross treatment (0.2687 d−1). The finite killing rate (θ) of A. asychis of the control group was similar to that in the backcross treatment, which showed that this treatment had a negligible negative effect on the control efficiency of A. asychis. In conclusion, the results showed that multiple mating increased the number and proportion of A. asychis female progenies but shortened the longevity of female and male adults, while the negative effect of backcross on the control efficiency of A. asychis was negligible.

Differential allocation in a gift-giving spider: males adjust their reproductive investment in response to female condition

BackgroundWhen males are selective, they can either reject low-quality females or adjust their reproductive investment in response to traits that indicate female quality (e.g., body size or condition). According to the differential allocation hypothesis, males increase their reproductive investment when paired with high-quality females (positive differential allocation) or increase their reproductive investment when paired with low-quality females (negative differential allocation). This hypothesis has been proposed for monogamous species with biparental care, and most empirical studies focus on birds. Here we used the polygamous spider Paratrechalea ornata, in which males offer prey wrapped in silk as nuptial gifts, to test whether males adjust their reproductive investment in gift size, pre-copulatory and copulatory courtship, and sperm transfer in response to female body condition.ResultsMales exposed to females in good body condition added more flies to the gift, stimulated these females longer with abdominal touches during pre-copulatory courtship, and had longer pedipalp insertions than males exposed to females in poor body condition. Female condition affected neither silk investment in nuptial gift wrapping nor the quantity of sperm transferred by males. Finally, females in good body condition oviposited faster after copulation and laid more eggs than females in poor body condition.ConclusionsWe provide experimental evidence that males of a gift-giving spider exhibit positive differential allocation in three key aspects of their reproductive investment: the size of the nutritious gift, duration of pre-copulatory courtship, and duration of pedipalp insertions, which is regarded as a form of copulatory courtship in spiders. This positive differential allocation is likely associated with the benefits of copulating with females in good body condition. These females are more fecund and oviposit faster after copulation than females in poor body condition, which under natural field conditions probably reduces the risk of multiple matings and thus the level of sperm competition faced by the males. As a final remark, our findings indicate that the hypothesis of differential allocation also applies to species with a scramble competition mating system, in which males heavily invest in nuptial gift construction, but not in parental care.

Effects of cadmium stress at different concentrations on the reproductive behaviors of beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)

Insects are exposed to cadmium stress since cadmium pollution has increasingly become a serious global environmental issue. However, until now few studies have paid attention to the effect of heavy metals on insect reproductive behaviors. In our study, the courtship behaviors, mating behaviors and fecundity of beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exposed to different concentrations of cadmium in artificial diets at larval stage were studied. The results showed that cadmium stress changed the courtship rhythm by significantly advancing or delaying the courtship starting time. Low dose of cadmium (0.2 mg/kg) increased the courtship frequency in the first two scotophases, but in the fourth phase, the two cadmium treatments reduced the frequency. The total courtship duration was significantly shortened in the first six scotophases except high dose of cadmium treatment (51.2 mg/kg) in the sixth dark phase. Paired adults did not mate after the seventh scotophase under low cadmium exposure, while high cadmium stress made the paired adults just copulate in the first four scotophases. The daily mating rate and total mating rate decreased with the increase in cadmium concentration. The number of eggs of low cadmium treatment was higher than that of control, but the difference was not significant; the number of eggs in high cadmium treatment was lower than that of control and low cadmium treatment. Our results indicate that cadmium exposure can disrupt the courtship rhythm for females and has negative influences on copulation behavior and high cadmium stress can reduce fecundity. Hence, the insect population increase will be affected by heavy metal pollution. Our study will provide scientific reference for environmental risk assessment of heavy metal pollution.

Male genital lobe morphology affects the chance to copulate in Drosophila pachea

IntroductionMale genitalia are thought to ensure transfer of sperm through direct physical contact with female during copulation. However, little attention has been given to their pre-copulatory role with respect to sexual selection and sexual conflict. Males of the fruitfly Drosophila pachea have a pair of asymmetric external genital lobes, which are primary sexual structures and stabilize the copulatory complex of female and male genitalia. We wondered if genital lobes in D. pachea may have a role before or at the onset of copulation, before genitalia contacts are made.ResultsWe tested this hypothesis with a D. pachea stock where males have variable lobe lengths. In 92 mate competition trials with a single female and two males, females preferentially engaged into a first copulation with males that had a longer left lobe and that displayed increased courtship vigor. In 53 additional trials with both males having partially amputated left lobes of different lengths, we observed a weaker and non-significant effect of left lobe length on copulation success. Courtship durations significantly increased with female age and when two males courted the female simultaneously, compared to trials with only one courting male. In addition, lobe length did not affect sperm transfer once copulation was established.ConclusionLeft lobe length affects the chance of a male to engage into copulation. The morphology of this primary sexual trait may affect reproductive success by mediating courtship signals or by facilitating the establishment of genital contacts at the onset of copulation.

Female behaviour is differentially associated with specific components of multimodal courtship in ring doves

Courtship displays are typically conspicuous, elaborate and composed of concomitant signals occurring in different sensory modalities. Although multimodal signals have received increasing attention over the past years, technical issues, in particular the lack of appropriate recording and analytical methods, have long restricted large-scale systematic study of their function. Here, we investigated in detail in 100 male–female dyads whether the multimodal, audiovisual courtship signals of the male ring dove, Streptopelia risoria, are associated with different immediate behavioural responses by the female, and whether such responses depend on the courting individual. We used synchronized high-speed video and audio recordings followed by semiautomatic image- and audio-processing techniques to precisely quantify variation in male courtship and female response. In particular, we investigated the structure of acoustic and visual courtship components, as well as aspects related to multimodal synchronization. We found that the fundamental frequency of male calls, as well as the total courtship duration and the duration of courtship bouts, influenced female tail-quivering behaviour, confirming that this behaviour is a sign of sexual interest in doves. On the other hand, some courtship variables frequently investigated in the literature, such as courtship rate, did not affect any aspect of female response. Additionally, we demonstrated an effect of repeated encounters with an individual of the opposite sex both on male courtship variables and on female sexual response to courtship. Females also responded differently to different males, that is, we found variation in female behavioural response to courtship variables related to identity and courtship effort. Further empirical studies are needed to assess how different male courtship elements influence female behaviour and ultimate mating decisions.

The Influence of Courtship Duration and Cohabitation with a Future Spouse on Marital Satisfaction

The Influence of Courtship Duration and Cohabitation with a Future Spouse on Marital Satisfaction

Dynamic Courtship Signals and Mate Preferences in Sepia plangon.

Communication in cuttlefish includes rapid changes in skin coloration and texture, body posture and movements, and potentially polarized signals. The dynamic displays are fundamental for mate choice and agonistic behavior. We analyzed the reproductive behavior of the mourning cuttlefish Sepia plangon in the laboratory. Mate preference was analyzed via choice assays (n = 33) under three sex ratios, 1 male (M): 1 female (F), 2M:1F, and 1M:2F. We evaluated the effect of modifying polarized light from the arms stripes and ambient light with polarized and unpolarized barriers between the cuttlefish. Additionally, to assess whether a particular trait was a determinant for mating, we used 3D printed cuttlefish dummies. The dummies had different sets of visual signals: two sizes (60 or 90 mm mantle length), raised or dropped arms, high or low contrast body coloration, and polarized or unpolarized filters to simulate the arms stripes. Frequency and duration (s) of courtship displays, mating, and agonistic behaviors were analyzed with GLM and ANOVAs. The behaviors, body patterns, and their components were integrated into an ethogram to describe the reproductive behavior of S. plangon. We identified 18 body patterns, 57 body patterns components, and three reproductive behaviors (mating, courtship, and mate guarding). Only sex ratio had a significant effect on courtship frequency, and the male courtship success rate was 80%. Five small (ML < 80 mm) males showed the dual-lateral display to access mates while avoiding fights with large males; this behavior is characteristic of male “sneaker” cuttlefish. Winner males showed up to 17 body patterns and 33 components, whereas loser males only showed 12 patterns and 24 components. We identified 32 combinations of body patterns and components that tended to occur in a specific order and were relevant for mating success in males. Cuttlefish were visually aware of the 3D-printed dummies; however, they did not start mating or agonistic behavior toward the dummies. Our findings suggest that in S. plangon, the dynamic courtship displays with specific sequences of visual signals, and the sex ratio are critical for mate choice and mating success.

Associations Between Premarital Factors and First-Married, Heterosexual Newlywed Couples’ Frequency of Sex and Sexual Satisfaction Trajectories

ABSTRACT Sex is a defining feature of marriage with important implications for marital success. Nevertheless, frequency and quality of sex decline across the early years of marriage. Given many modern-day couples in the U.S. are delaying marriage and thus experiencing many traditional aspects of marriage before their nuptials, the current research explored the extent to which premarital factors such as courtship duration, cohabitation, and children are associated with trajectories of couples’ sexual relationships during the early years of marriage. Using a 4-year longitudinal study of newlywed couples, results demonstrated that couples with longer (versus shorter) courtships or who did (versus did not) cohabit engaged in less frequent sex at the start of marriage; interestingly, couples with longer (versus shorter) courtships or with (versus without) children prior to marriage experienced less steep declines in frequency of sex over time. Couples who did (versus did not) cohabit were less sexually satisfied initially and over time; couples with longer (versus shorter) courtships experienced less steep declines in sexual satisfaction over time. Notably, each of these associations emerged independent of related individual differences and marital quality. These findings highlight the notion that premarital factors can explain, at least in part, differences in newlywed couples’ sexual relationships.

Mating experience affects male mating success, but not female fecundity in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)

In a mating system in which females are monandrous and males are polygynous, females may incur a risk by mating with males with possible sperm depletion following consecutive matings. Here, we examined the effects of male mating history on male mating success and female reproductive fitness in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata by performing mating trials and sperm counting experiments. Results showed that male mating history had a significant negative impact on subsequent copulation success but had little effect on courtship duration and courtship intensity. In addition, neither male courtship intensity nor morphological measurements of males and females had significant effects on male mating success. Furthermore, male mating history had no obvious impact on the fecundity of inseminated females, with no significant differences observed in the oviposition rate of females, the numbers and the carapace width of the second-instar spiderlings between treatments. Results showed that the number of sperm decreased significantly after mating but could be replenished, with no significant differences observed between groups in which males had rested for 7 d. These findings suggest that polygynous male spiders may recharge their sperm during the mating season, but how females differentiate the mating status of males remains unknown.

Spiders, microbes and sex: Bacterial exposure on copulatory organs alters mating behaviour in funnel‐web spiders

AbstractEnvironmental microbes have the potential to be involved in nearly all behavioural processes. For example, mating systems where males use intromittent organs to transfer sperm to females represent a means by which environmental microbes collected by males can breach entry into females' body cavities during mating. However, the degree to which the acquisition of environmental microbes onto important sex structures alters courtship behaviours remains unknown. Here, we collected bacteria from the copulatory organs of Agelenopsis pennsylvanica funnel‐weaving spiders in situ to test whether exposure to bacteria on copulatory organs can alter hosts' courtship behaviour, reproductive success and survival. We used a standardized assay to repeatedly measure each spider's aggressiveness, a behavioural component of both male courtship and female sexual receptivity. Then, we experimentally altered the bacteria present on male and female spiders' copulatory organs with an application of either (a) a mixture of bacteria collected from conspecifics to increase bacterial presence, (b) an antibiotic to reduce bacterial presence or (c) a procedural control. Each spider was paired with a size‐matched spider of the opposite sex whose copulatory organs were unaltered, and we measured the latency until the onset and the duration of courtship. Spiders were then isolated, and we measured each individual's time until death and female fecundity over the next 40 days. We found that female exposure to bacteria had multiple effects on mating dynamics. Males took over four times longer to begin courting females that had been exposed to bacteria compared to unexposed and antibiotic‐treated females. Only when courting these bacteria‐exposed females, males began courtship sooner when females were more aggressive. Lastly, females whose mate had been exposed to bacteria experienced reduced survival. These data suggest that bacteria present on animals' copulatory organs can alter courtship behaviours, female survivorship, and may potentially play a role in mating dynamics.

EFFECT OF PHOTOPERIOD ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIORAL PATTERN OF ACHATINA ACHATINA SNAIL

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of photoperiod on the growth performance and behavioral pattern of Achatina achatina. Ninety snails of uniform weights were used for the study which lasted for 56 days. The snails were randomly assigned to three treatments and each treatment was replicated three times with 10 snails per replicate. The snails were exposed to different light duration. Treatment 1 had 12 hours light and 12 hours darkness, Treatment 2 was subjected to 18 hours light and 6 hours darkness, Treatment 3 was subjected to 24 hours light. The data collected was analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test for significant mean separation. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, time of feeding and reproductive behaviors. The results of the experiment showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in final weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, duration of courtship, duration of feeding and cost of feed per kg weight gain between tre atments. The results also showed that there were significant differences in number of eggs laid and mating duration between treatments. From the result, it was concluded that the best photoperiod for Achatina achatina is 24 hours light as it produced the lowest feed conversion ratio and cost of feed per kg weight gain and that was recommended for effective growth of Achatina achatina.