Assuring paternity in a promiscuous world: Are there lessons for ticks among the insects?

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Kaufman, W. R.

• In this article I begin with a few current ideas on some physiological factors that influence mating choice in insects. Emphasis is placed on those proteins produced by the male reproductive accessory glands which increase female fecundity and reduce her receptivity to subsequent males. Strategies used by late-arriving males to favour their paternity are also mentioned. With a number of insect models as background, I then review what is currently known about several male factors in ticks (a capacitation factor, a male factor, an engorgement factor and a vitellogenesis stimulating factor) and suggest where we might focus our experimental activities in the future.

• Date created

  2004

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Male accessory gland proteins
  • Sperm precedence
  • Receptivity inhibiting substances
  • Fecundity enhancing substances
  • Tick and insect reproduction
  • Sperm competition

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3C824N4W

• License

  © 2004 Cambridge University Press. This version of this article is open access and can be downloaded and shared. The original author(s) and source must be cited.