Sexual conflict in natural populations

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For most organisms, males and females have different means of maximizing the number of offspring they will produce to form the next generation (that is, their fitness). This arises because male produce gametes (sperm) that cost little energy, while female gametes (eggs) are energetically costly. This situation can generate a sexual conflict related to the optimal mating rate. Males generally benefit from mating as often as possible to fertilize a maximum number of eggs. In contrast, females should avoid mating because they often do not require sperm after one or a few copulations. Water striders are prime examples of sexual conflict over mating. Yet, our results rather suggest that females also benefit from having several males siring their offspring. This research will use a genetic approach to determine parentage relationships to refine our understanding of how factors interact to determine male and female fitness. The relationship between mating rate and reproductive success, the capacity of males and females at influencing how sperm from different partners is used, the increased fecundity that female may acquire from multiple mating, and the influence of genetic properties of natura l population on selective processes will be investigated. This research will further our understanding of how selection works in wild population, and why female mate more often than necessary. Four graduate and 13 undergraduate will be involved in this research.