Journal article
Harem size and oviposition behaviour in a polygynous bark beetle
TM Latty, MJL Magrath, MRE Symonds
Ecological Entomology | WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC | Published : 2009
Abstract
1. Harem polygyny can have fitness benefits and costs on females. In bark beetles of the genus Ips the latter may include within-harem competition between larvae. However, earlier competition between females for male care and mating opportunities may also influence oviposition behaviour. There has been relatively little investigation into the relationship between harem size and initial egg output. The present study investigated this relationship in the bark beetle Ips grandicollis. 2. The measure of egg output used was the number of eggs in the gallery with the most eggs in each harem. Mean (±SE) harem size of 242 observed harems was 3.25 ± 0.10. A curvilinear relationship was found between ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
Forestry SA and Hancocks Victorian Plantations allowed us access to field sites. We thank Charlma Phillips (Forestry SA) and Jenny Pena (HVP) for their assistance in arranging this access. The forester, and former professional cellist, Bruno Turrini (Forestry SA) provided enormous and enthusiastic logistical assistance at Wirrabara. Theresa Jones and two anonymous reviewers provided comments on the manuscript, and other members of the Animal Behaviour and Evolution Group at the University of Melbourne had useful input and ideas. Funding for this study was from the Australian Research Council (MRES), the Canadian Natural Sciences and Research Council (TML), and travel grants from the University of Melbourne Department of Zoology, and the Western Forest Genetics Association (Canada and U. S. A.).