Male house mice do not adjust sperm allocation in response to odours from related or unrelated rivals
Sperm competition theory predicts that males should adjust the number of sperm they ejaculate adaptively, according to sociosexual cues of sperm competition at the time of mating. Specifically, it is predicted that (1) males will respond to an increased risk of sperm competition from rivals by increasing sperm allocation, and (2) the increase in allocation […]
Preference for related mates in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster
Although inbreeding is known for its negative consequences, recent theory predicts that inclusive fitness gains from inbreeding should outweigh the costs of inbreeding depression in many situations, resulting in optimal fitness from mating with intermediate relatives (optimal inbreeding). Consistent with this theory, in a previous field study on Drosophila melanogaster, we found that males were […]
Fitness consequences of sibling egg cannibalism by neonates of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Egg cannibalism is a widely observed behaviour in nature that provides nutritional benefits without the costs of subduing prey. However, when egg cannibalism involves sibling eggs, the benefits obtained must balance inclusive fitness losses. Neonates of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, readily consume other eggs within their natal clutch. To explore the fitness consequences […]
The Wood-Gush legacy: A sociobiology perspective to fertility and welfare in chickens
Wood-Gush’s seminal work on the social behaviour and welfare of fowl populations laid the foundations of a sociobiology approach to understand the evolutionary nature of social interactions and their applied significance for domestic animals. Within this context, maintaining high fertility and welfare standards pose key challenges. Reviewing recent advances in the study of sexual behaviour […]