Intra-specific variation of sperm length in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae: males with shorter sperm have higher reproductive success

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dc.contributor.authorVoordouw, Maarten J
dc.contributor.authorKoella, Jacob C
dc.contributor.authorHurd, Hillary
dc.date.accessioned2014-08-15T00:04:37Z
dc.date.available2014-08-15T00:04:37Z
dc.date.copyright2008en_US
dc.date.issued2008-10-21
dc.descriptionBioMed Centralen_US
dc.description.abstractBackground Intra-specific variation in sperm length influences male reproductive success in several species of insects. In males of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, sperm length is highly variable but the significance of this variation is unknown. Understanding what determines the reproductive success of male mosquitoes is critical for controlling malaria, and in particular for replacing natural populations with transgenic, malaria-resistant mosquitoes. Methods A laboratory population of A. gambiae males was tested for intra-specific variation in sperm length. A full-sib quantitative genetic design was used to test for a genetic component of sperm length in A. gambiae males and estimate its heritability. This study also tested for a relationship between sperm length and male reproductive success in A. gambiae. Male reproductive success was measured as the proportions of inseminated and ovipositing females. Results There was intra-specific variation of sperm length in A. gambiae. There was no significant genetic variation in sperm length and its heritability was low (h2 = 0.18) compared to other insects. Sperm length was correlated with male body size (measured as wing length). Males with short sperm had significantly higher reproductive success than males with long sperm and this was independent of body size. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate intra-specific variation in sperm length in A. gambiae and that males with short sperm have higher reproductive success. That sperm length influences female oviposition is important for any strategy considering the release of transgenic males.en_US
dc.description.reviewstatusRevieweden_US
dc.description.scholarlevelFacultyen_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada postdoctoral fellowship to MJV (November 2005 – November 2007). An NSERC Discovery grant to Brad Anholt provided financial support for MJV to write the manuscript.en_US
dc.identifier.citationVoordouw et al.: Intra-specific variation of sperm length in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Malaria Journal 2008, 7 :214en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.malariajournal.com/content/7/1/214
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-7-214
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1828/5556
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherBioMed Centralen_US
dc.subject.departmentDepartment of Biology
dc.titleIntra-specific variation of sperm length in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae: males with shorter sperm have higher reproductive successen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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