Female x male interactions in Drosophila sperm competition

Science. 1999 Jan 8;283(5399):217-20. doi: 10.1126/science.283.5399.217.

Abstract

In several organisms, the success of a male's sperm in multiply inseminated females depends on the male's genotype. In Drosophila, the female also plays a role in determining which sperm are successful. Pairwise tests among six isogenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster were performed to determine whether there is a genotype-specific interaction in the success of sperm. The success of a particular male's sperm was found to depend on the genotype of the female with which he mates, providing evidence for an interaction with profound evolutionary consequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*