A tangled web: comparing inter- and intraspecific mating dynamics in Anasa squash bugs

Reproductive interference, reproductive interactions between heterospecific individuals including mating, is commonly reported across taxa but its drivers are still unclear. Studying heterospecific matings in the context of their conspecific mating system— by relating an individual’s conspecific mating behavior to its heterospecific interactions— offers a powerful approach to address this uncertainty. Here we compare inter- and intraspecific mating dynamics in the squash bug Anasa tristis and its close relative Anasa andresii under semi-natural conditions. Using replicated enclosures, we surveyed the mating behavior of individually marked A. tristis and A. andresii bugs (5 males and 5 females of each species per trial) at hourly intervals using a robotic camera system over a 14-day period. We uncovered high levels of reproductive interference (19% of individuals engaged in heterospecific matings) but the majority of mating activity took place between conspecifics. A. tristis females whi...生殖干扰（reproductive interference）是指异种个体间包含交配行为在内的生殖互动，该现象在诸多生物类群中均有广泛报道，但其驱动机制仍未明确。在物种的同种交配系统框架下开展异种交配研究——即通过关联个体的同种交配行为与其异种互动展开分析——为解答这一认知盲区提供了极具说服力的研究途径。本研究在半自然环境下，针对南瓜缘蝽（Anasa tristis）及其近缘物种安氏南瓜缘蝽（Anasa andresii）的种间与种内交配动态开展对比分析。我们采用重复布设的试验笼箱，在14天的观测周期内，借助机器人摄像系统每小时对每试验组各5雄5雌的经个体标记的南瓜缘蝽与安氏南瓜缘蝽的交配行为进行记录。研究结果显示存在较高水平的生殖干扰现象：19%的个体发生了异种交配，但绝大多数交配活动仍发生在同种个体之间。南瓜缘蝽雌性个体（原文此处内容截断）