Consequences of mating with siblings and nonsiblings on the reproductive success in a leaf beetle

Choosing a suitable mating partner is crucial for the fitness of an individual, whereby mating with siblings often results in inbreeding depression. We studied consequences of mating with siblings versus nonsiblings in the mustard leaf beetle, Phaedon cochleariae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on lifetime reproductive traits. Furthermore, we analyzed whether cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles are family specific and could potentially influence the mating behavior of young adults. We hypothesized a reduced reproductive success of females mated with siblings and a more rapid mating of males with nonsiblings. The hatching rate from eggs of sibling pairs was lower compared to that of nonsibling pairs, pointing to inbreeding depression. Furthermore, the number of eggs laid by females decreased over time in both sibling and nonsibling pairs. Interestingly, the CHC profiles and the body mass differed between families. However, the beetles did not avoid siblings and accepted them as readily as ...

选择合适的交配伴侣对个体的适合度至关重要，而与同胞交配通常会导致近交衰退。本研究以芥菜叶甲（Phaedon cochleariae，鞘翅目：叶甲科）为对象，探究其与同胞及非同胞交配对终身繁殖性状的影响。此外，我们分析了表皮碳氢化合物（cuticular hydrocarbon, CHC）谱是否具有家族特异性，以及是否可能影响年轻成虫的交配行为。我们假设，与同胞交配的雌性繁殖成功率会降低，而雄性与非同胞交配的速度会更快。同胞配对所产虫卵的孵化率低于非同胞配对，这表明存在近交衰退。此外，无论是同胞还是非同胞配对，雌性产卵量均随时间推移而减少。有趣的是，不同家族的CHC谱和体重存在差异。然而，该甲虫并未表现出对同胞的回避行为，其接受同胞的意愿与……同样强烈。