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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Sexual ornaments reveal the strength of melanization immune response and for longevity of male paper wasps

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Author(s):
de Souza, Andre Rodrigues [1, 2] ; Simoes, Talitta Guimaraes [2] ; Rantala, Markus J. [3, 4] ; Santos, Eduardo Fernando [5] ; Lino-Netto, Jose [6] ; do Nascimento, Fabio Santos [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Entomol, Vicosa, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Turku, Dept Biol, Turku - Finland
[4] Univ Turku, Turku Brain & Mind Ctr, Turku - Finland
[5] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Letras & Ciencias Exatas, Dept Zool & Bot, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil
[6] Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Biol Geral, Vicosa, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY; v. 109, p. 163-168, AUG-SEP 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

It has been recently suggested that female mate choice, based on sexually selected ornaments, is an important component of social wasps' reproductive biology. The correlates of male ornaments that could be of a female's interest, however, remain to be investigated. Males of the Neotropical paper wasp Polistes simillimus have sexually dimorphic melanin-based black spots on their faces. In this species, male spots work like sexual ornaments, as it has been experimentally demonstrated that females prefer sexual partners with a higher proportion of black pigment on their faces. We have shown that, under laboratory conditions, male sexual ornamentation positively predicts the strength of the melanization immune response and longevity. Therefore, in P. simillimus, melanin-based facial patterns (ornaments) seem to be honest indicators of male quality. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/25301-9 - Evaluating the exogenous and endogenous mechanisms influencing variability of cuticular hydrocarbons in Neotropical social insects
Grantee:Fábio Santos do Nascimento
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 15/05302-0 - The choice of sexual partner in eusocial wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae)
Grantee:André Rodrigues de Souza
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral