BECAS
OVIEDO DIEGO Mariela AnahÍ
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Unbalanced functions of sexual communication lead to reproductive interference in two syntopic scorpion species
Autor/es:
OVIEDO DIEGO, MARIELA; COSTA-SCHMIDT, E.; MATTONI, CAMILO I.; PERETTI, ALFREDO V.
Reunión:
Congreso; Animal Behavior Society Virtual Meeting 2020; 2020
Institución organizadora:
Animal Behaviour Society
Resumen:
Sexual communication in mate choice scenarios involves three non-mutually exclusive functions: mate recognition, mate assessment, and species recognition. The mate choice process comprehends a delicate balance between natural and sexual selection. While natural selection would improve species recognition, sexual selection would prioritize both mate location and assessment. We assessed the functions of sexual commincation in two closely related scorpion species (Urophonius brachycentrus and U. achalensis) that have sympatric populations with synchronic reproduction and a scramble competition dynamic. We used Y-mazes to test volatile-pheromones, where we exposed males of both species to different stimuli arrays. We found that the males of both species recognize conspecifics females through volatile pheromones. Furthermore, the males spent more time in proximity to higher-condition females. Some results showed that male search ability seems to be condition-dependent. Interestingly, we found no evidence of specific recognition, suggesting reproductive interference in chemical communication between the species. Also, we noted that U. brachycentrus would be more susceptible to chemical confusion, preferring heterospecific females over conspecific ones. Our results support the notion of non-independent and interacting functions in sexual communication, stating mate choice as a continuous and complex process in scorpions.