Presentation Details
| Testing male and female mate choice in Culex pipiens mosquitoes Susan Villarreal. Denison University, Granville, Ohio, USA |
Abstract
Mate choice is often assumed to shape reproductive outcomes, yet evidence for discrimination in mosquitoes remains limited. In Culex pipiens, a major vector of West Nile virus, both female and male mate choice are poorly understood. Previously, we found no evidence that either sex discriminates among mates based on size, despite males potentially receiving a fitness benefit from mating with larger females. Here, we tested for male mate discrimination using a fluorescent dye-transfer assay that marks females during attempted copulation, allowing the separation of mating attempts from successful insemination. We manipulated female receptivity by injecting seminal fluid protein (SFP) extracts and quantified both insemination and mating attempts relative to controls. SFP-injected females were less likely to be inseminated, but showed no reduction in dye transfer, indicating males did not avoid unreceptive females. These results suggest limited mate discrimination, with males failing to adjust mating effort despite variation in female receptivity. This lack of discrimination may reduce reproductive efficiency and has implications for strategies targeting mosquito mating behavior.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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