| Literature DB >> 30921425 |
Verena Strobl1,2, Lars Straub1,2, Selina Bruckner1,3, Matthias Albrecht4, Jakkrawut Maitip5,6, Eleonora Kolari1,2, Panuwan Chantawannakul6,7, Geoffrey R Williams1,2,3, Peter Neumann1,2.
Abstract
Reproductive strategies can act as strong selective forces on reproductive traits of male insects, resulting in species-specific variation in sperm quantity and viability. For solitary bees, basic measures of sperm quantity and viability are scarce. Here we evaluated for the first time quantity and viability of sperm in male Osmia cornuta solitary bees at different times after emergence, and how they were affected by male body mass and environmental condition (laboratory or semi-field arena). Sperm viability immediately after adult emergence showed no significant difference compared to four day old individuals, suggesting that O. cornuta males are capable of mating immediately post emergence. However, sperm counts were significantly higher in four day old individuals from the semi-field arena when compared to newly emerged males. This might reflect a final phase of sperm maturation. Regardless of individual male age and body mass differences, O. cornuta males produced on average ~175'000 spermatozoa that were ~65% viable, which are both significantly lower compared to eusocial honeybees and bumblebees. Moreover, sperm quantity, but not viability, was positively correlated with male body mass four days after emergence, while no such relationship was detected immediately after emergence. Even though individuals maintained in semi-field conditions exhibited a significantly greater loss of body mass, experimental arena had no significant effect on male survival, sperm quality or total living sperm produced. This suggests that the proposed laboratory design provides a cost-efficient and simple experimental approach to assess sperm traits in solitary bees. In conclusion, our data suggest a reduced investment in both sperm quantity and quality by male O. cornuta, which appears to be adaptive in light of the life history of this solitary bee.Entities:
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Year: 2019 PMID: 30921425 PMCID: PMC6440592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214597
Source DB: PubMed Journal: PLoS One ISSN: 1932-6203 Impact factor: 3.240
Fig 1Experimental semi-field and laboratory arena set-up.
(a) One of twelve experimental semi-field arenas [2 x 1.5 x 1.5 m] on an oilseed rape (Brassica napus) field. Each semi-field arena contained three male O. cornuta bees. The nesting provision is visible in the upper left-hand corner of the arena. (b) Each semi-field arena was equipped with a standardized nesting provision composed of a large plastic tube containing 30 paper nesting tubes (150 mm, ∅ = 9 mm, WAB–Mauerbienenzucht, Germany). (c) Individual O. cornuta males were placed in a standard laboratory arena [80 cm3] maintained at constant room temperature (24°C), with indirect natural light from a nearby window. Each arena contained: (i) a small piece of crumpled craft paper [2 x 2 cm] placed inside to provide a refuge, (ii) one male O. cornuta, (iii) a syringe filled with 50% (w/v) sucrose solution, and (iv) a modified Eppendorf tube containing pollen paste (60% fresh honeybee corbicular pollen and 40% sugar powder); ad libitum food supplies were replaced every 24 h to prevent possible fungus contamination.
Fig 2Body mass of Osmia cornuta males: Immediately post emergence (T0 (N = 72)), after four days under laboratory conditions (Laboratory (N = 36)) and after four days under semi-field conditions (Semi-field (N = 36)).
Significant differences among groups are indicated by different letters (A, B), whereby *** represents p < 0.001.
Fig 3Sperm traits of male sperm quantity, (b) percentage of viable and (c) quantity of living sperm immediately post emergence (T0), four days post laboratory conditions (Laboratory) and four days post semi-field conditions (Semi-field). Significant differences among groups (p < 0.001) are indicated by different letters (A, B).
Fig 4Correlation of body mass and sperm quantity in male Osmia cornuta: Immediately post emergence (T0) (white circles, no significant correlation between body mass and sperm quantity) and four days after emergence (black circles, solid line illustrating a significantly positive correlation between body mass and sperm quantity (Spearman’s r = 0.30).