Affiliation:
1. The University of Sheffield, Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, Sheffield, UK
Abstract
Abstract
Following copulation, females of many seabird species spend a prolonged period of time away from the colony, building up reserves for egg formation and incubation. Here, we report that the number of sperm associated with eggs of single-egg clutch seabirds was almost an order of magnitude greater than predicted from the relationship between ovum size and sperm numbers in multi-egg clutch non-seabirds. Sperm numbers were also several times greater than the estimated number necessary for maximal fertilization success. Our results are consistent with 3 unusual features of seabird reproduction: (1) single-egg clutches, (2) prolonged sperm storage, and (3) a lag period between the end of yolk formation and ovulation. We hypothesize that sperm release from storage is under precise temporal control in these species, with high sperm numbers acting as an insurance against infertility in single-egg clutches. If true, the lag period may have evolved to provide sufficient time for sperm to be released simultaneously from storage and accumulate at the site of fertilization prior to ovulation.
Funder
European Research Council–PCSSIB
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Reference35 articles.
1. Egg formation in Cassin’s Auklet;Astheimer;The Auk,1986
2. The timing and energetic consequences of egg formation in the Adelie Penguin;Astheimer;The Condor,1985
3. Oviductal sperm selection, transport, and storage in poultry;Bakst;Poultry Science Reviews,1994
4. Egg formation and the pre-laying period of the Common Guillemot Uria aalge;Birkhead;Journal of Zoology,1987
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献