The Size Advantage Model of Sex Allocation in the Protandrous Sex-Changer Crepidula fornicata: Role of the Mating System, Sperm Storage, and Male Mobility

Type Article
Date 2015-09
Language English
Author(s) Broquet ThomasORCID1, 2, Barranger AudreyORCID1, 2, Billard Emmanuelle1, 2, Bestin AnastasiaORCID1, 2, Berger Remy1, 2, Honnaert Gaelle1, 2, Viard Frederique1, 2
Affiliation(s) 1 : CNRS, Team Div & Connect Coastal Marine Landscapes, Stn Biol Roscoff, F-29680 Roscoff, France.
2 : Univ Paris 06, Sorbonne Univ, Unite Mixte Rech 7144, Stn Biol Roscoff, F-29680 Roscoff, France.
Source American Naturalist (0003-0147) (Univ Chicago Press), 2015-09 , Vol. 186 , N. 3 , P. 404-420
DOI 10.1086/682361
WOS© Times Cited 16
Keyword(s) sequential hermaphrodite rotandry, reproductive success, gregarious behavior, mollusk
Abstract

Sequential hermaphroditism is adaptive when the reproductive value of an individual varies with size or age, and this relationship differs between males and females. In this case, theory shows that the lifetime reproductive output of an individual is increased by changing sex (a hypothesis referred to as the size-advantage model). Sex-linked differences in size-fitness curves can stem from differential costs of reproduction, the mating system, and differences in growth and mortality between sexes. Detailed empirical data is required to disentangle the relative roles of each of these factors within the theory. Quantitative data are also needed to explore the role of sperm storage, which has not yet been considered with sequential hermaphrodites. Using experimental rearing and paternity assignment, we report relationships between size and reproductive success of Crepidula fornicata, a protandrous (male-first) gastropod. Male reproductive success increased with size due to the polygamous system and stacking behavior of the species, but females nonetheless had greater reproductive success than males of the same size, in agreement with the size-advantage theory. Sperm storage appeared to be a critical determinant of success for both sexes, and modeling the effect of sperm storage showed that it could potentially accelerate sex change in protandrous species.

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How to cite 

Broquet Thomas, Barranger Audrey, Billard Emmanuelle, Bestin Anastasia, Berger Remy, Honnaert Gaelle, Viard Frederique (2015). The Size Advantage Model of Sex Allocation in the Protandrous Sex-Changer Crepidula fornicata: Role of the Mating System, Sperm Storage, and Male Mobility. American Naturalist, 186(3), 404-420. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1086/682361 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00809/92100/