Rouse, J orcid.org/0000-0001-8457-4623, Watkinson, K and Bretman, A orcid.org/0000-0002-4421-3337 (2018) Flexible memory controls sperm competition responses to male Drosophila melanogaster. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1879). 20180619. ISSN 0962-8452
Abstract
Males of many species use social cues to predict sperm competition (SC) and tailor their reproductive strategies, such as ejaculate or behavioural investment, accordingly. While these plastic strategies are widespread, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Plastic behaviour requires individuals to learn and memorize cues associated with environmental change before using this experience to modify behaviour. Drosophila melanogaster respond to an increase in SC threat by extending mating duration after exposure to a rival male. This behaviour shows lag times between environmental change and behavioural response suggestive of acquisition and loss of memory. Considering olfaction is important for a male's ability to assess the SC environment, we hypothesized that an olfactory learning and memory pathway may play a key role in controlling this plastic behaviour. We assessed the role of genes and brain structures known to be involved in learning and memory. We show that SC responses depend on anaesthesia-sensitive memory, specifically the genes rut and amn. We also show that the γ lobes of the mushroom bodies are integral to the control of plastic mating behaviour. These results reveal the genetic and neural properties required for reacting to changes in the SC environment.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2018 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | sperm competition; learning; memory; behavioural plasticity |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 May 2018 13:31 |
Last Modified: | 19 Feb 2019 16:20 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | The Royal Society |
Identification Number: | 10.1098/rspb.2018.0619 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:130355 |