Sexual Traits Research Articles

Effects on Herd Efficiency of Sexual Experience and Behavioral Characteristics of Saanen X Hair Male Goat Based On Age

Effects on Herd Efficiency of Sexual Experience and Behavioral Characteristics of Saanen X Hair Male Goat Based On Age

THE PERCEIVED ATTRACTIVENESS OF SEXUAL DIMORPHIC FEATURES IN MALE FACES ACROSS THE LIFESPAN OF A WOMAN

According to evolutionary psychology, the presence of masculine sexual dimorphic traits is an indicator of the hidden qualities of the organism. On the other hand, it is also characteristic of men with low levels of warmth, honesty, and a reluctance to invest in offspring. As female reproductive goals vary across a woman’s lifespan, changing from finding the best donor of “good genes” to a commitment to a “selfless caregiver”, it is probable that the attractiveness of masculine/feminine facial features in male faces changes across a lifespan. The results of the study indicate that the degree of preference for masculine male faces increases from their teens, reaches a maximum during the period of reproduction before marriage and decreases in older age, with a statistically significant decrease in the postmenopausal period.

Cranio-facial bones evaluation based on clinical CT data for sex determination in Northwest Indian population

The skull and pelvis have been the first choice of bones for determination of unknown human remains. The goal of the present study was to derive discriminant function equations by using clinical CT scan data of cranio-facial bones for sex determination in Northwest Indian population. This study was conducted at Department of Radiology, by collecting the retrospective data of CT scan of 217 samples. In the data, 106 were males and 111 were females in the age group between 20 and 80 years. The total number of parameters under investigation were 10. All the selected variables were sexually dimorphic and showed significant values. 91.7% of original grouped cases were correctly classified to their sex category. The TEM, rTEM and R were under the acceptable limits. The univariate, multivariate and stepwise discriminant function analysis recorded an accuracy of 88.9%, 91.7% and 93.6% respectively. Multivariate direct discriminant function analysis stepwise method yielded the highest level of accuracy in differentiating males and females. All the variables reflected statistically significant difference between males and females (p less than 0.001). The best single parameter with highest level of sexual dimorphic trait was length of cranial base. This study aims to provide sex assessment using clinical data of CT scan in Northwest Indian population by incorporating the BIOFB cranio-facial parameter. The morphometric measurements taken on CT scan images can be utilized by forensic experts in identification process.

The fertilization process in Lithocarpus dealbatus (Fagaceae) and its implication on the sexual reproduction evolution of Fagales.

The pistillate flowers of Lithocarpus dealbatus show two pollen tube (PT) arresting sites (the style-joining and micropyle) within the pistil during the postpollination-prezygotic stage. The PT, arrested at the pre-ovule stage, enhanced PT competition allowing the most compatible PTs to enter the ovary to ensure the highest fertilization success. During the shift from animal pollination to wind pollination, plants require a series of changes in reproductive traits. The mode of pollination is striking labile in Fagaceae. Lithocarpus is insect pollinated and is closely related to wind-pollinated Quercus. Little is known about the sexual reproduction of Lithocarpus. This study aimed to reveal the sexual reproduction of Lithocarpus dealbatus and to explore the evolutionary pattern of the key sexual reproduction traits to better understand their possible role in labile pollination. We found that after pollination, L. dealbatus PTs grew slowly in the style reaching style-joining in mid-January of the second year; then PT growth was arrested at style-joining for four months. Only two to three PTs resumed growth in mid-May to reach the micropyle, where PT growth ceased for one month before one PT resumed growth and passed through the micropyle to the embryo sac. Fagaceae showed a generalized mating system. Vast pollen production, small-sized pollen grains, long stigmatic receptive time, and reduced perianth were compatible with beetle pollination syndrome, representing the plesiomorphic status in Fagaceae. A large stigmatic surface and dry pollen grains linked to wind pollination might be independently derived several times in fagaceous lineages. Beetle pollination syndrome can cope with the uncertainty of pollinators to ensure conspecific pollen capture, which represents pre-adaptation status and has a selective advantage when conditions change, favouring wind pollination. The arrest of the PT at style-joining is a unique mechanism in later derived fagaceous lineages to enhance PT competition and promote outcrossing.

Quantitative trait loci underlying a speciation phenotype.

Sexual signalling traits and their associated genetic components play a crucial role in the speciation process, as divergence in these traits can contribute to sexual isolation. Despite their importance, our understanding of the genetic basis of variable sexual signalling traits linked to speciation remains limited. In this study, we present new genetic evidence of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) underlying divergent sexual signalling behaviour, specifically pulse rate, in the Hawaiian cricket Laupala. By performing RNA sequencing on the brain and central nervous system of the parental species, we annotate these QTL regions and identify candidate genes associated with pulse rate. Our findings provide insights into the genetic processes driving reproductive isolation during speciation, with implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying species diversity.

On a remarkable sexual dimorphic trait on scales and fins of the old world Cyprinodontiformes (Actinopterygii: Aphaniidae)

AbstractSecondary sexual dimorphism is an interesting and stupendous subject of research study due to the fact that it is a result of sexual selection, mostly attributed to either female mate choice or male–male competition. This study aims to investigate the microscopic characterization of scales and fin rays in several aphaniids (Cyprinodontiformes: Aphaniidae) to find out the possibility of using these structures as secondary sexual dimorphism traits and discuss their taxonomic and evolutionary significance. Herein, the results reveal that (i) male individuals of aphaniid species of the genera Aphanius, Aphaniops and Paraphanius present contact organs in the forms of ctenus‐like structure (in posterior margin of the scales) and spicule‐like structure (in anal fin rays) that show sexual dimorphism of scales and fins; (ii) number, position, size and shape of contact organs provide taxonomic signal to distinguish members of the genus Aphaniops from two other genera; (iii) females of Aphaniops ginaonis also represent contact organs in scales but fewer than males and (iv) as the sexual dimorphism results from different sexual selection pressures acting on males and females, it provides evolutionary signals.

Floral polymorphism and heteromorphic incompatibility in the distylous tropical shrub Waltheria rotundifolia (Malvaceae)

AbstractThe genus Waltheria is known for having a high percentage of distylous species (ca. 85%). However, distyly has only been comprehensively studied in a few Waltheria species. The study of distyly is of particular ecological relevance given the occurrence of exotic pollinators in natural ecosystems nowadays, which could potentially affect legitimate pollen transfer between floral morphs. In the present study, we characterized the sexual reciprocity between floral morphs in the tropical shrub Waltheria rotundifolia, we tested if the pollen transfer patterns were in accordance with proper distyly, and we tested its incompatibility system. Reciprocity was characterized by measuring sexual traits, while pollen traits were measured to evaluate the presence of ancillary polymorphisms. The efficiency of distyly to promote legitimate pollen transfer was determined by quantifying pollen loads deposited on stigmas and on the body of Apis mellifera, the main floral visitor of W. rotundifolia. Finally, hand pollinations were performed to determine the strength of the incompatibility system. Flowers exhibit a reciprocal arrangement of sexual organs and pollen ancillary features typical of distylous plants. We observed a differential placement of pollen on the body of A. mellifera. However, intermorph differences in the pollen loads and legitimate pollen deposited on stigmas suggest inefficient pollen transfer by A. mellifera. Hand pollinations revealed the presence of a heteromorphic incompatibility system. Overall, our results show that although factors for disassortative pollen transfer are present in the studied population, W. rotundifolia exhibits asymmetric pollen deposition probably due to A. mellifera foraging behavior.

Differential masculinization of the chelipeds in two simultaneously hermaphroditic Apseudes tanaidaceans (Crustacea: Malacostraca)

Simultaneous hermaphrodites are uncommon in Malacostraca, having been reported only in Decapoda, Isopoda, and Tanaidacea. Sexual traits not directly related to reproduction, such as masculinization of chelipeds, have received little attention. This study demonstrated that the tanaidacean Apseudes nipponicus Shiino is simultaneously hermaphroditic; and investigated the allometry of chelipeds in two simultaneously hermaphroditic tanaidaceans, A. nipponicus and Apseudes sp. The two species show differential masculinization of the chelipeds. In A. nipponicus, increase in the widths of the chelipedal carpus and chela relative to body size is diphasic, with a higher growth rate in larger individuals. Large individuals also develop ventral spiniform processes on the carpus and a dorsal triangular process on the fixed finger. In Apseudes sp., increase in the widths of the chelipedal carpus and chela relative to body size is monophasic; large individuals fail to develop ventral processes on the carpus but do produce a dorsal process on the fixed finger. The most masculinized state of cheliped development in Apseudes sp. resembles the state in A. nipponicus individuals at an early stage of chelipedal masculinization. Apseudes sp. is smaller in size than A. nipponicus, suggesting that the former might be a progenetic simultaneously hermaphroditic species, achieving earlier maturation as a female by reducing resource allocation to male secondary traits and growth.

Blooming characteristics and breeding system of an invasive plant Gaura parviflora.

The invasiveness and dissemination of exotic species are strongly influenced by its sexual reproduction characteristics, including blooming characteristics and breeding system. Exploring the association of these sexual reproductive traits with invasiveness would be helpful for revealing the mechanism of its successful invasion. We examined the blooming characteristics and breeding system of Gaura parviflora based on field observations, out-crossing index (OCI) estimation, and hand-pollination experiments. The results showed flowering duration of the G. parviflora population (flowering period) was short (more than 3 months). The life span of single flower (floral longevity) was 40.46 h. Its flower diameter was 3.99 mm. Over seven flowers in bloom per inflorescence and most individuals often bloomed synchronously, which showed a 'mass-flowering pattern'. The changing trend of pollen and stigma vitality was relatively similar, but the duration of stigma vitality was 2 h longer than that of pollen. The stigma and the anthers were close to each other at the initial flowering stage, but the stigma removed from the anthers at the full-blooming stage with the style curving downwards. Many pollinators visited flowers in late full-blooming stage, which were mainly Apis mellifera and Syrphidae spp. Their average visiting frequency was 9.8 times·m-2·h-1. The fruit set in natural pollination after emasculation treatment (insect or wind pollination) was signi-ficantly higher than that in bagged and emasculation treatment, and the treatment of emasculated and bagged with nylon net (excluding insect pollination) could also bear fruits, indicating possible existence of ambophily in G. parviflora. The results of pollen ovule ratio (P/O) mensuration, OCI estimation and hand-pollination experiments showed that its mating system type belonged to additive mixed mating system. So, its characteristics, such as smaller flower size, shorter floral longevity and flowering period, were conducive to allocating more resources to plant growth and seed development, which would help improve its total fitness. The changes of spatial position of male and female organs not only avoided interference between male and female functions, but also created opportunities for stigmas to receive outcross pollen. In addition, the 'mass-flowering pattern' was conducive to attracting pollinators. The pollination mechanism of ambophily was helpful to ensure cross-pollination. The additive mixed mating system could provide double reproductive assurance for this species. These reproductive characteristics were significant for the successful invasion and expansion of G. parviflora.

Lack of Female Preference for Nuptial Gifts May Have Led to Loss of the Male Sexual Trait

Lack of Female Preference for Nuptial Gifts May Have Led to Loss of the Male Sexual Trait

Differential sex allocation strategies between females and facultative hermaphrodites of Chamaelirium hisauchianum (Melanthiaceae)

Species of Chamaelirium are known to be highly diversified in sexual characters, but there has been no detailed empirical approach to elucidate the mechanism and process of sexual diversification in the genus. This paper reports the results of population‐based analyses on various sexual aspects of C. hisauchianum endemic to Japan. Of the 20 populations surveyed, eight (40%) were composed of facultative hermaphrodites highly labile in sexual expression, exhibiting a wide range of gradational variation from hermaphroditism through andromonoecy to male. The remaining 12 populations (60%) consisted of females and facultative hermaphrodites. In them, 11.8–30.9% (mean 22.2%) of the individuals were female. With no reciprocal sex changes, females and facultative hermaphrodites were regarded as, plausibly genetically determined, discrete sex morphs. In contrast, sexual expression in both sex morphs appeared resource dependent. Besides the difference in floral sexual traits, the average ratio of ovuliferous flowers in females was higher than that in facultative hermaphrodites. The production of ovuliferous flowers by females was less susceptible to both field and cultivated conditions and tended to be significantly relatively higher under unfavorable growing conditions. Females were thus less plastic (or more persistent) in producing ovuliferous flowers (or female organs) than facultative hermaphrodites irrespective of internal and external conditions. In all populations, andromonoecious plants dominated (50.8–100%), which appeared to reflect the high plasticity in sex allocation of facultative hermaphrodites. The different modes of sex allocation were regarded as secondary sex characters and presumably stem from a difference in easiness or attainability of sexual reproduction between the two sex morphs.

(050) Low Prolactin Level Identifies Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder Women With a Reduced Inhibition Profile

Abstract Introduction Data on the role of prolactin (PRL) in the physiologic range in the female sexual response are scanty. Objective To investigate the association between PRL and sexual function as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We explored the presence of a cut-off level of PRL able to identify Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). Methods N=264 pre- and post-menopausal women consulting for FSD and sexually active were included in this observational, retrospective study. A clinical, biochemical and psychosexual evaluation was performed. Main Outcome measures: FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire and Sexual excitation/sexual inhibition scale (SIS/SES). HSDD was diagnosed through a clinical interview. Results In a multivariate model, PRL showed a significant, positive correlation with FSFI Desire (p=0.009) and Satisfaction (p=0.011). Women with PRL in the V quintile (14.58-24.59 μg/L) reported significantly higher FSFI Desire scores than those with PRL in the I quintile (5.12-6.53 μg/L). Women with HSDD presented a significantly lower PRL level than those without (p=0.032). A ROC curve analysis for PRL showed an accuracy of 0.610+-0.044 (p=0.014) in predicting HSDD. With a threshold of 9.83 μg/L, sensitivity and specificity for HSDD were 63% and 56%, respectively. Subjects with PRL =9.83 μg/L. The difference in SIS1 score was independent of cortisol. Conclusions Among FSD women with normo-PRL levels, those with the lowest levels demonstrated a poorer sexual desire than those with the highest levels. PRL <9.83 μg/L could predict HSDD and a lower sexual inhibitory trait. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: LV received scientific research grants, advisory board attendance and speaker honoraria from Therascience, Theramex, Bayer Schering Pharma, Intercept, Lipocine, Ibsa.

Inflorescences of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae): Diversity, evolution and relationships with breeding systems and fruit dehiscence modes.

Cuscuta (dodder) includes ca. 200 species of plant obligate stem parasites with enormous ecological and economical significance. Inflorescences have been historically used in Cuscuta for species descriptions and identification keys, but no comprehensive study exists to date. The main objectives of this study were to survey the diversity and evolution of inflorescences and to uncover their possible form-function relationships. The inflorescence architecture of 132 Cuscuta taxa was analysed using herbarium specimens and eight species were grown to study their inflorescence development. Inflorescence traits were mapped into a genus phylogeny obtained from a combined analysis of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F sequences. To test the hypothesis that inflorescence architecture is connected to sexual reproduction, correlations between inflorescence traits (using Principal Components), sexual reproductive traits (pollen/ovule ratios, corolla length and diameter), fruit charaters (fruit length and width), and the modes of dehiscence were analyzed. Based on their development, three major types of inflorescences were observed: "Cuscuta type", a simple, monochasial scorpioid cyme; "Monogynella type", a compound monochasial scorpioid cymes with the longest primary axes having prolonged vegetative growth and giving the appearance of thyrses; and "Grammica type", a compound monochasial scorpiod cymes with up to five orders of axes. Maximum likelihood analyses suggested Monogynella as the ancestral type, while Cuscuta and Grammica were derived. Overall, the total length of axes exhibited a reduction trend throughout the genus evolution, but it was not correlated with the pedicels length. Inflorescences with similar architectures may exhibit contrasting pollen-ovule ratios. Positive significant correlations were noted between the size of the flower traits and pollen-ovule ratios. Several modes of dehiscence had statistically significant different total axes lengths, suggesting that the infructescence architecture is connected to the modes of dehiscence in Cuscuta and therefore seed dispersal.

Low prolactin level identifies hypoactive sexual desire disorder women with a reduced inhibition profile

PurposeData on the role of prolactin (PRL) in the physiologic range in the female sexual response are scanty. We aimed at investigating the association between PRL and sexual function as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We explored the presence of a cut-off level of PRL able to identify Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).Methods277 pre- and post-menopausal women consulting for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and sexually active were enrolled in an observational, retrospective study. 42 women were used as no-FSD controls. A clinical, biochemical and psychosexual evaluation was performed. The main outcome measures were: FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire and Sexual excitation/sexual inhibition scale (SIS/SES).ResultsNormo-PRL FSD women (n = 264) showed lower FSFI Desire score than controls (n = 42), and higher than hyper-PRL FSD women (n = 13). These differences emerged both in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal subjects. In the normo-PRL FSD group, those with PRL in the higher quintile reported higher FSFI Desire scores than those with PRL in the lowest quintile. Women with HSDD presented a lower PRL level than those without (p = 0.032). A ROC curve analysis for PRL showed an accuracy of 0.610 ± 0.044 (p = 0.014) in predicting HSDD. With a threshold of < 9.83 μg/L, sensitivity and specificity for HSDD were 63% and 56%, respectively. Subjects with PRL < 9.83 μg/L also reported lower sexual inhibition (p = 0.006) and lower cortisol levels (p = 0.003) than those with PRL > = 9.83 μg/L.ConclusionsHyper-PRL is associated with low desire; however, among normo-PRL FSD women, those with the lowest levels demonstrated a poorer desire than those with the highest levels. PRL < 9.83 μg/L predicted HSDD and a lower sexual inhibitory trait.

Size rather than complexity of sexual ornaments prolongs male metamorphosis and explains sexual size dimorphism in sepsid flies.

Male sexual ornaments often evolve rapidly and are thought to be costly, thus contributing to sexual size dimorphism. However, little is known about their developmental costs, and even less about costs associated with structural complexity. Here, we quantified the size and complexity of three morphologically elaborate sexually dimorphic male ornaments that starkly differ across sepsid fly species (Diptera: Sepsidae): (i) male forelegs range from being unmodified, like in most females, to being adorned with spines and large cuticular protrusions; (ii) the fourth abdominal sternites are either unmodified or are converted into complex de novo appendages; and (iii) male genital claspers range from small and simple to large and complex (e.g. bifurcated). We tracked the development of 18 sepsid species from egg to adult to determine larval feeding and pupal metamorphosis times of both sexes. We then statistically explored whether pupal and adult body size, ornament size and/or ornament complexity are correlated with sex-specific development times. Larval growth and foraging periods of male and female larvae did not differ, but the time spent in the pupal stage was ca 5% longer for sepsid males despite emerging 9% smaller than females on average. Surprisingly, we found no evidence that sexual trait complexity prolongs pupal development beyond some effects of trait size. Evolving more complex traits thus does not incur developmental costs at least in this system.

What are the consequences of clonal integration for floral traits and reproductive investment of a broadly distributed aquatic plant?

Reproductive plasticity allows plants to invest resources in distinct ways under different environmental conditions. Clonal reproduction has been considered a sink of resources that decreases sexual reproduction due to potential trade-offs between reproductive modes. However, clonal integration may allow plants to share resources such as water and nutrients among individual subunits, generating variability on key traits, as floral shape, and size. The objective of this work was to examine whether clonal integration affects floral traits on a widely distributed aquatic plant, and how this influence affect plants sexual reproductive traits. We found that clonal ramets exhibited larger and more robust flowers than isolated ones, but the number of flowers per inflorescence did not change in comparison to isolated plants. These changes are discussed as mechanisms of reproduction enhancement. We conclude that clonal integration changes Eichhornia crassipes resources investment on sexual reproduction and may be identified as a persistence strategy for aquatic plants.

Systematic metabolomic studies identified adult adiposity biomarkers with acetylglycine associated with fat loss in vivo.

Obesity is associated with various adverse health outcomes. Body fat (BF) distribution is recognized as an important factor of negative health consequences of obesity. Although metabolomics studies, mainly focused on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, have explored the biological mechanisms involved in the development of obesity, these proxy composite measures are not accurate and cannot reflect BF distribution, and thus may hinder accurate assessment of metabolic alterations and differential risk of metabolic disorders among individuals presenting adiposity differently throughout the body. Thus, the exact relations between metabolites and BF remain to be elucidated. Here, we aim to examine the associations of metabolites and metabolic pathways with BF traits which reflect BF distribution. We performed systematic untargeted serum metabolite profiling and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole body fat scan for 517 Chinese women. We jointly analyzed DXA-derived four BF phenotypes to detect cross-phenotype metabolite associations and to prioritize important metabolomic factors. Topology-based pathway analysis was used to identify important BF-related biological processes. Finally, we explored the relationships of the identified BF-related candidate metabolites with BF traits in different sex and ethnicity through two independent cohorts. Acetylglycine, the top distinguished finding, was validated for its obesity resistance effect through in vivo studies of various diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Eighteen metabolites and fourteen pathways were discovered to be associated with BF phenotypes. Six of the metabolites were validated in varying sex and ethnicity. The obesity-resistant effects of acetylglycine were observed to be highly robust and generalizable in both human and DIO mice. These findings demonstrate the importance of metabolites associated with BF distribution patterns and several biological pathways that may contribute to obesity and obesity-related disease etiology, prevention, and intervention. Acetylglycine is highlighted as a potential therapeutic candidate for preventing excessive adiposity in future studies.

Men’s Self-Reported and Psychophysiological Affective Responses to Sexual Violence and Their Associations with Rape Myths, Personality, and Sexual Traits: A Preliminary Study

Objective: Despite alarming evidence on sexual violence against women, little is known about men’s emotional responses to rape and how these may be involved in sexual violence dynamics. Accordingly, our aim was to capture how rape scenarios are emotionally appraised. Methods: The current study evaluated men’s (N = 30) self-reported and psychophysiological emotional responses (facial EMG, electrodermal activity) to a rape scene, and contrasted it with their responses to stimuli depicting nonsexual violence and nonviolent male-female interactions. The associations between men’s emotional responses and their endorsement of rape myths, personality, and sexual traits were also examined. Results: Findings revealed that the rape scene resulted in higher negative affect, both subjectively and indexed by increased facial EMG (corrugator activity), than the other two stimuli. Additionally, personality traits of neuroticism, lower agreeableness, lower consciousness, psychopathic tendencies, as well as lower sexual inhibition proneness, were all associated with higher subjective sexual arousal toward rape. Conclusions: Findings add to the literature on the putative emotional processes underpinning the appraisal of sexual violence against women.

Quantitative genetics of breeding coloration in sand lizards; genic capture unlikely to maintain additive genetic variance

Sexual selection on fitness-determining traits should theoretically erode genetic variance and lead to low heritability. However, many sexually selected traits maintain significant phenotypic and additive genetic variance, with explanations for this “lek paradox” including genic capture due to condition-dependence, and breaks on directional selection due to environmental sources of variance including maternal effects. Here we investigate genetic and environmental sources of variance in the intrasexually selected green badge of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis). The badge functions as a cue to male fighting ability in this species, and male–male interactions determine mate acquisition. Using animal models on a pedigree including three generations of males measured over an extensive 9-year field study, we partition phenotypic variance in both badge size and body condition into additive genetic, maternal, and permanent environmental effects experienced by an individual over its lifespan. Heritability of badge size was 0.33 with a significant estimate of underlying additive genetic variance. Body condition was strongly environmentally determined in this species and did not show either significant additive genetic variance or heritability. Neither badge size nor body condition was responsive to maternal effects. We propose that the lack of additive genetic variance and heritability of body condition makes it unlikely that genic capture mechanisms maintain additive genetic variance for badge size. That said, genic capture was originally proposed for male traits under female choice, not agonistic selection. If developmental pathways generating variance in body condition, and/or the covarying secondary sex trait, differ between inter- and intrasexual selection, or the rate at which their additive genetic variance or covariance is depleted, future work may show whether genic capture is largely restricted to intersexual selection processes.

Appealing but a cheat: choice of attractive but sick males reduces the fitness of females

Abstract One central tenet in sexual selection theory is that sexual traits are honest indicators of individual condition. This does not appear to be the case for Tenebrio molitor beetles whose males, when infected with the fungus Metarhizium robertsii, produce chemical signals (pheromones) that increase their attractiveness. Using this system, we have investigated the consequences of non-adaptive female choice with regard to: (a) survival of females in choosing fungus-infected males; and (b) whether the number and duration of copulations increases fungal infection in females. Females that mated with fungus-infected males lived half as long as females that mated with infection-free males. In addition, the greater the number and the longer the duration of copulation(s), the greater the fungal sporulation in females, suggesting that the fungus may be mainly transmitted during copulation. This study documents a conflict between the sexes: while the dishonesty of a sexual signal increases male fitness, it reduces female fitness.