title: Spermatophore consumption in a cephalopod.
abstract: An individual's gametes can represent a nourishing food source for a manipulative mate. Here, we provide evidence of ejaculate and sperm consumption in a cephalopod. Through labelling male spermatophores with (14)C radiolabel, we found that female squid, Sepiadarium austrinum, consumed the spermatophores of their partners and directed the nutrients received into both somatic maintenance and egg production. We further show that in this species-where fertilization occurs externally in the female's buccal cavity-sperm storage is short-term (less than 21 days). The combination of female spermatophore consumption and short-term external sperm storage has the potential to exert strong selection on male ejaculates and reproductive strategies.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. benjamin.wegener@monash.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wegener
authors.forename: Devi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stuart-Fox
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Bob B M
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D049832:Decapodiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013093:Spermatogonia; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013997:Time Factors; D014739:Victoria
keywords: ejaculate consumption; reproduction; sexual conflict; sexual selection; spermatophore; squid