Male-female Communication Research Articles

Differential expression patterns of arabinogalactan proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana reproductive tissues.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are heavily glycosylated proteins existing in all members of the plant kingdom and are differentially distributed through distinctive developmental stages. Here, we showed the individual distributions of specific Arabidopsis AGPs: AGP1, AGP9, AGP12, AGP15, and AGP23, throughout reproductive tissues and indicated their possible roles in several reproductive processes. AGP genes specifically expressed in female tissues were identified using available microarray data. This selection was confirmed by promoter analysis using multiple green fluorescent protein fusions to a nuclear localization signal, β-glucuronidase fusions, and in situ hybridization as approaches to confirm the expression patterns of the AGPs. Promoter analysis allowed the detection of a specific and differential presence of these proteins along the pathway followed by the pollen tube during its journey to reach the egg and the central cell inside the embryo sac. AGP1 was expressed in the stigma, style, transmitting tract, and the chalazal and funiculus tissues of the ovules. AGP9 was present along the vasculature of the reproductive tissues and AGP12 was expressed in the stigmatic cells, chalazal and funiculus cells of the ovules, and in the septum. AGP15 was expressed in all pistil tissues, except in the transmitting tract, while AGP23 was specific to the pollen grain and pollen tube. The expression pattern of these AGPs provides new evidence for the detection of a subset of specific AGPs involved in plant reproductive processes, being of significance for this field of study. AGPs are prominent candidates for male-female communication during reproduction.

Typical versions of learned swamp sparrow song types are more effective signals than are less typical versions.

The learned songs of songbirds often cluster into population-wide types. Here, we test the hypothesis that male and female receivers respond differently to songs depending on how typical of those types they are. We used computational methods to cluster a large sample of swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) songs into types and to estimate the degree to which individual song exemplars are typical of these types. We then played exemplars to male and female receivers. Territorial males responded more aggressively and captive females performed more sexual displays in response to songs that are highly typical than to songs that are less typical. Previous studies have demonstrated that songbirds distinguish song types that are typical for their species, or for their population, from those that are not. Our results show that swamp sparrows also discriminate typical from less typical exemplars within learned song-type categories. In addition, our results suggest that more typical versions of song types function better, at least in male-female communication. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that syllable type typicality serves as a proxy for the assessment of song learning accuracy.

Dung as a potential medium for inter-sexual chemical signaling in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Chemical signaling is a prominent mode of male-female communication among elephants, especially during their sexually active periods. Studies on the Asian elephant in zoos have shown the significance of a urinary pheromone (Z7-12:Ac) in conveying the reproductive status of a female toward the opposite sex. We investigated the additional possibility of an inter-sexual chemical signal being conveyed through dung. Sixteen semi-captive adult male elephants were presented with dung samples of three female elephants in different reproductive phases. Each male was tested in 3 separate trials, within an interval of 1-3 days. The trials followed a double-blind pattern as the male and female elephants used in the trials were strangers, and the observer was not aware of the reproductive status of females during the period of bioassays. Males responded preferentially (P<0.005), in terms of higher frequency of sniff, check and place behavior toward the dung of females close to pre-ovulatory period (follicular-phase) as compared to those in post-ovulatory period (luteal-phase). The response toward the follicular phase samples declined over repeated trials though was still significantly higher than the corresponding response toward the non-ovulatory phase in each of the trials performed. This is the first study to show that male Asian elephants were able to distinguish the reproductive phase of the female by possibly detecting a pre-ovulatory pheromone released in dung.

Reply to Eens et al.: Urban noise can alter sexual selection on bird song

Eens et al.(1) question (i) whether our data are sufficient to state that low-frequency songs are sexually selected and (ii) whether anthropogenic noise really affects male–female communication, as males may just get closer to make their songs more audible.

Are low-frequency songs sexually selected, and do they lose their potency in male–female interactions under noisy conditions?

We agree with Halfwerk et al. (1) on the importance of including the receivers when studying the impact of anthropogenic noise. However, we find the conclusion that the use of low-frequency song is sexually selected in great tits and that noisy conditions affect male–female communication premature for several reasons.

Widespread genetic linkage of mating signals and preferences in the Hawaiian cricket Laupala

The evolution of novel sexual communication systems is integral to the process of speciation, as it discourages gene flow between incipient species. Physical linkage between genes underlying male-female communication (i.e. sexual signals and preferences for them) facilitates both rapid and coordinated divergence of sexual communication systems between populations and reduces recombination in the face of occasional hybridization between diverging populations. Despite these ramifications of the genetic architecture of sexual communication for sexual selection and speciation, few studies have examined this relationship empirically. Previous studies of the closely related Hawaiian crickets Laupala paranigra and Laupala kohalensis have indirectly suggested that many of the genes underlying the difference in pulse rate of male song are physically linked with genes underlying the difference in female preference for pulse rate. Using marker-assisted introgression, we moved 'slow pulse rate' alleles from L. paranigra at five known quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying male pulse rate into the 'fast pulse rate' genetic background of L. kohalensis and assessed the effect of these loci on female preference. An astounding four out of five song QTL predicted the preferences of female fourth-generation backcrosses, providing direct evidence for the extensive genetic linkage of song and preference in one of the fastest diversifying genera currently known.

Determination of the amount of sex pheromone emitted by individual virgin females of the white grub beetle, Dasylepida ishigakiensis (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) at different stages of reproductive life

Virgin females of the white grub beetle, Dasylepida ishigakiensis Niijima et Kinoshita, emit the sex pheromone, 2-butanol. To investigate the relationships between pheromone emission and ovarian development in this beetle, virgin adult females were kept at 18°C for various lengths of time. The sex pheromone released by individual females at first calling was collected at 23°C and the amounts determined. Females started developing visible oocytes at day 44 and emitting sex pheromone at day 50. Almost all females at day 52 or later possessed eggs, indicating that diapause had ended. A high positive correlation was found between the amounts of pheromone emitted and levels of ovarian development. A large variation of pheromone emission was encountered even among individuals of the same age. Females retained the ability to emit sex pheromone as long as they were virgin. These results may provide important information regarding the timing and duration of application of synthetic sex pheromone in an attempt to control this pest through disrupting the male-female communication.

Low-frequency songs lose their potency in noisy urban conditions

Many animal species communicate with their mates through acoustic signals, but this communication seems to become a struggle in urbanized areas because of increasing anthropogenic noise levels. Several bird species have been reported to increase song frequency by which they reduce the masking impact of spectrally overlapping noise. However, it remains unclear whether such behavioral flexibility provides a sufficient solution to noisy urban conditions or whether there are hidden costs. Species may rely on low frequencies to attract and impress females, and the use of high frequencies may, therefore, come at the cost of reduced attractiveness. We studied the potential tradeoff between signal strength and signal detection in a successful urban bird species, the great tit (Parus major). We show that the use of low-frequency songs by males is related to female fertility as well as sexual fidelity. We experimentally show that urban noise conditions impair male-female communication and that signal efficiency depends on song frequency in the presence of noise. Our data reveal a response advantage for high-frequency songs during sexual signaling in noisy conditions, whereas low-frequency songs are likely to be preferred. These data are critical for our understanding of the impact of anthropogenic noise on wild-ranging birds, because they provide evidence for low-frequency songs being linked to reproductive success and to be affected by noise-dependent signal efficiency.

Extrusion of the C-terminal helix in navel orangeworm moth pheromone-binding protein (AtraPBP1) controls pheromone binding

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), is an agricultural insect pest that can be controlled by disrupting male–female communication with sex pheromones, a technique known as mating disruption. Insect pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) provide fast transport of hydrophobic pheromones through aqueous sensillar lymph and promote sensitive delivery of pheromones to receptors. Here we present a mutational analysis on a PBP from A. transitella (AtraPBP1) to evaluate how the C-terminal helix in this protein controls pheromone binding as a function of pH. Pheromone binds tightly to AtraPBP1 at neutral pH, but the binding is much weaker at pH below 5. Deletion of the entire C-terminal helix (residues 129–142) causes more than 100-fold increase in pheromone-binding affinity at pH 5 and only a 1.5-fold increase at pH 7. A similar pH-dependent increase in pheromone binding is also seen for the H80A/H95A double mutant that promotes extrusion of the C-terminal helix by disabling salt bridges at each end of the helix. The single mutants (H80A and H95A) also exhibit pheromone binding at pH below 5, but with ∼2-fold weaker affinity. NMR and circular dichroism data demonstrate a large overall structural change in each of these mutants at pH 4.5, indicating an extrusion of the C-terminal helix that profoundly affects the overall structure of the low pH form. Our results confirm that sequestration of the C-terminal helix at low pH as seen in the recent NMR structure may serve to block pheromone binding. We propose that extrusion of these C-terminal residues at neutral pH (or by the mutations in this study) exposes a hydrophobic cleft that promotes high affinity pheromone binding.

NMR Structure of Navel Orangeworm Moth Pheromone-Binding Protein (AtraPBP1): Implications for pH-Sensitive Pheromone Detection,

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), is an agricultural insect pest that can be controlled by disrupting male-female communication with sex pheromones, a technique known as mating disruption. Insect pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) provide fast transport of hydrophobic pheromones through the aqueous sensillar lymph and promote sensitive delivery of pheromones to receptors. Here we present the three-dimensional structure of a PBP from A. transitella (AtraPBP1) in solution at pH 4.5 determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Pulsed-field gradient NMR diffusion experiments, multiangle light scattering, and (15)N NMR relaxation analysis indicate that AtraPBP1 forms a stable monomer in solution at pH 4.5 in contrast to forming mostly dimers at pH 7. The NMR structure of AtraPBP1 at pH 4.5 contains seven alpha-helices (alpha1, L8-L23; alpha2, D27-F36; alpha3, R46-V62; alpha4, A73-M78; alpha5, D84-S100; alpha6, R107-L125; alpha7, M131-E141) that adopt an overall main-chain fold similar to that of PBPs found in Antheraea polyphemus and Bombyx mori. The AtraPBP1 structure is stabilized by three disulfide bonds formed by C19/C54, C50/C108, and C97/C117 and salt bridges formed by H69/E60, H70/E57, H80/E132, H95/E141, and H123/D40. All five His residues are cationic at pH 4.5, whereas H80 and H95 become neutral at pH 7.0. The C-terminal helix (alpha7) contains hydrophobic residues (M131, V133, V134, V135, V138, L139, and A140) that contact conserved residues (W37, L59, A73, F76, A77, I94, V111, and V115) suggested to interact with bound pheromone. Our NMR studies reveal that acid-induced formation of the C-terminal helix at pH 4.5 is triggered by a histidine protonation switch that promotes rapid release of bound pheromone under acidic conditions.

Antennal Sensilla in the Genus Lysmata (Caridea)

Our previous studies have found that euhermaphrodite-phase shrimp of Lysmata secrete both distance and contact sex pheromones, unique among the shrimp. To gain a better understanding of the chemo-sensory system of shrimp, we studied the setae on the first (antennules) and second antennae of four species of Lysmata, which represent the two social groups (low and high densities) and three distinct external morphological patterns (peppermint shrimp, scarlet lady shrimp, and fire shrimp) in the genus. There were four types of setae in the four species: aesthetascs, denticulate setae, and two types of simple setae. Aesthetascs are only distributed on the proximal lateral antennular flagella, while the other three setae are located on the antennules and the second antenna. Aesthetascs are believed to be olfactory organs in detecting soluble chemical signals, especially for male-female communication during mating, while one or more of the other three setae are responsible for detecting contact pheromones. Lysmata boggessi and L. wurdemanni, peppermint shrimp that live in aggregations, possess significantly higher number of aesthetascs than pair-living species of L. amboinensis (scarlet lady shrimp) and L. debelius (fire shrimp), suggesting a possible correlation between the aesthetasc number and social environment. Sexual dimorphism in the aesthetasc number is found in L. boggessi and L. wurdemanni, with significantly higher numbers in the male-phase shrimp than in the euhermaphrodite-phase shrimp.

Male–Female Communication in the Crayfish Orconectes rusticus: The Use of Urinary Signals in Reproductive and Non‐Reproductive Pairings

AbstractAnimals use sensory communication to locate conspecifics, food, shelter, and avoid predators. Using urine visualization techniques as well as Digital Particle Illumination Velocimetry, we examined the role of urinary signals and current generations during social interactions of male and female crayfish. Both reproductive and non‐reproductive crayfish were paired to gain a better understanding of how reproductive state influences communication. Analyses of agonistic and mating events were paired in time with recorded urine release and current generation, illustrating a correlation of chemical communication with ritualized social behavior. Four treatment groups were run with specific combinations of different reproductive status: (1) both opponents reproductively active, (2) only the male in reproductive, (3) only the female reproductive, or (4) both opponents non‐reproductive. Results showed differences between treatment groups in urine release, current generation, and social behavior. Within reproductive pairings, both the male and female crayfish generated currents and released urine at higher rates than those in other treatment groups. Urine was released most often when opponents were in chelae contact with each other and these releases were often accompanied by anterior current generation. In addition, communication was different in reproductive trials where mating occurred. Overall, the results indicate that the use of hydrodynamic and chemical signals changes as a function of reproductive state and that this change in communication probably indicates readiness to mate.

Male House Finches with Elaborate Songs have Higher Reproductive Performance

AbstractThe elaborate songs of male animals are thought to function in either territory defense (male–male communication) or mate attraction (male–female communication). In non‐territorial animals, male vocalizations are expected to function primarily in mate attraction, yet the reproductive consequences of male vocalizations in non‐territorial animals are poorly described. Here we explore the relationship between male song and male reproductive performance in a free‐living population of house finches, Carpodacus mexicanus, a non‐migratory, non‐territorial songbird. Based on recordings of 20 males, we analyzed three song features (song length, number of unique syllables per song, and song rate) and compared male song with two measures of within‐pair reproductive performance (nest initiation date and clutch size) and one measure of extra‐pair reproductive performance (whether males sired extra‐pair young). We demonstrate a positive association between male song and within‐pair reproductive performance; males that sang long songs initiated their first clutch significantly earlier and males that sang songs at a faster rate had larger clutches. Despite the fact that only one of our recorded males sired extra‐pair young in the nest of another male, this male's songs were the most elaborate for two of three song features measured, anecdotally suggesting that male song may play a role in both within‐pair and extra‐pair partner choice. These results suggest that male song is a sexually selected trait in non‐territorial house finches.

Exploring Male-Female Communication: Three Lessons on Gender

Exploring Male-Female Communication: Three Lessons on Gender

Exploring male-female communication: Three lessons on gender

Providing strategies for engaging youth in a discussion of gender differences in communication can help students develop healthy and effective relational communication skills. While such a conversation is useful, it can also perpetuate gender stereotypes. This technique describes 3 gender lessons to help create a balanced discussion of male–female differences. These lessons are derived from communication research and provide a framework for accurate dialogue about gender-based communication.

THE FUNCTION OF SONG FORMS IN THE LESSER WHITETHROAT SYLVIA CURRUCA

ABSTRACT The pattern of song activity during different stages of the breeding cycle was investigated in males of the lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca. Males had a high song output during the prefertile period after which the song activity declined abruptly. This pattern is consistent with the song functioning in territory defence and mate attraction. Most males did not sing when their mate was fertile. It is suggested that this silence is a strategy by which the male tries to conceal the precise position of the fertile mate to avoid being cuckolded. The lesser whitethroat has two song forms: ‘trill’ and ‘twitter’. The physical properties of these indicate that they are specialised for communication over different distances. The high amplitude trill may serve as a long-distance signal whereas the low amplitude twitter allows only short-range communication. The two song forms could also have evolved for intersexual and intrasexual usage. The stereotyped trill song form was dominant relative to the twitter song form late in the breeding cycle, indicating that trill is used primarily in male-male communication. The variable twitter song form was dominant early in the breeding cycle when the males were attracting mates, indicating that twitter is used primarily in male-female communication.

"Direction' in Male and female Dental Students" Interaction With Patients: A Confirmation of Similarities

A growing body of literature examining sex-based communication differences of health care providers and/or patients shows mixed results. There appears to be a slight tendency for female patients to perceive and perhaps even receive a higher quality of health communication. We predicted, therefore, that (a) male dental students would demonstrate significantly higher communicative competence with female compared to male patients, and (b) female dental students would demonstrate significantly higher communicative competence with female compared to male patients. Data obtained using a standardized evaluation form from 590 dental appointments over 6 years did not support either prediction. In fact, no significant differences were observed for any combination of dental students' and patients' gender. The large sample in this study supports data from other research showing no male-female communication differences when observational and behavioral measures are recorded in applied settings.

Genderflex. Adaptive communication for trainers

Performance + InstructionVolume 32, Issue 4 p. 12-15 Article Genderflex. Adaptive communication for trainers Judith C. Tingley, Judith C. Tingley 727 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite C102, Phoenix, AZ 85014 Judith C. Tingley, Ph.D., is a psychologist and consultant from Phoenix, Arizona. Her expertise is adaptive communication between diverse people, one-on-one, in small and large groups. She is currently writing a book titled Genderflex, Solutions to Male-Female Communication Problems in the Workplace.Search for more papers by this author Judith C. Tingley, Judith C. Tingley 727 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite C102, Phoenix, AZ 85014 Judith C. Tingley, Ph.D., is a psychologist and consultant from Phoenix, Arizona. Her expertise is adaptive communication between diverse people, one-on-one, in small and large groups. She is currently writing a book titled Genderflex, Solutions to Male-Female Communication Problems in the Workplace.Search for more papers by this author First published: April 1993 https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.4170320405 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume32, Issue4April 1993Pages 12-15 RelatedInformation

Religious Affiliation and Contraceptive Usage: Changing American Patterns, 1955-82

This paper presents national estimates of contraceptive usage patterns among white women from 1955-82 for the major religious populations in the United States. Drawing on several surveys, the data show that in 1955 differences in contraceptive use between white Protestants and Catholics were very large and corresponded to the higher fertility levels among Catholics. By 1982, all the major religious groups had experienced downward changes in expected family size and all used effective contraceptive methods, including sterilization, the pill, and the IUD. Despite some convergence in the patterns of contraceptive usage over time, significant differences in contraceptive use styles remain among Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and those of no religious affiliation after multivariate controls eliminated socioeconomic and sociodemographic differences among these subpopulations. The evidence points to the multiple contraceptive paths to similar levels of low fertility. A series of hypotheses are proposed to account for these different contraceptive use styles that relate to religious communities, peer pressure and social norms, differential sex roles, male-female communication patterns, and the differential use of physician-based versus other sources of contraceptives.

Male-Female Communication on the Job: Literature Review and Commentary

Male-Female Communication on the Job: Literature Review and Commentary