In general, female fitness is greatly increased in gift-giving insects. In katydids, this nuptial gift consists of a gelatinous mass produced by accessory glands： the spermato- phylax, which is attached to the ampull...In general, female fitness is greatly increased in gift-giving insects. In katydids, this nuptial gift consists of a gelatinous mass produced by accessory glands： the spermato- phylax, which is attached to the ampulla. During mating, males of the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus transfer a spermatophylax that is ingested by the females. Fecundity, egg-laying rate and longevity were higher in females that consumed the spermatophylax than in those that did not. Also, female receptivity turned off after mating. Females actively rejected other males by hitting them with their forelegs and moving away. Their refractory period lasted as long as 17 d. Only a few females accepted a 2nd mating and died a few days later. In C. ictus, spermatophylax consumption can be beneficial for both males and females. On one hand, the compounds in the spermatophylax or the ejaculate could prevent or delay females from copulating with rivals, thus avoiding sperm competition. On the other hand, such compounds can improve the females＇ opportunity to increase their lifespan and fecundity. Moreover, a rise in egg-laying rate may lower the risk of female prereproductive death caused by rapid oviposition. In any case, the boost in female egg laying might also be beneficial for males because their number of offspring increases.展开更多
The art of carving oxbone crafts goes back 300 years. The crafts vary in style and are most commonly found in Yixian County, Hebei Province. These crafts are made from the hipbone and legbone of the ox. The exquisite ...The art of carving oxbone crafts goes back 300 years. The crafts vary in style and are most commonly found in Yixian County, Hebei Province. These crafts are made from the hipbone and legbone of the ox. The exquisite carving of the cabbage and intricate inlay work of the katydid is especially vivid. The carving is associated with the natural world in autumn.展开更多
文摘In general, female fitness is greatly increased in gift-giving insects. In katydids, this nuptial gift consists of a gelatinous mass produced by accessory glands： the spermato- phylax, which is attached to the ampulla. During mating, males of the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus transfer a spermatophylax that is ingested by the females. Fecundity, egg-laying rate and longevity were higher in females that consumed the spermatophylax than in those that did not. Also, female receptivity turned off after mating. Females actively rejected other males by hitting them with their forelegs and moving away. Their refractory period lasted as long as 17 d. Only a few females accepted a 2nd mating and died a few days later. In C. ictus, spermatophylax consumption can be beneficial for both males and females. On one hand, the compounds in the spermatophylax or the ejaculate could prevent or delay females from copulating with rivals, thus avoiding sperm competition. On the other hand, such compounds can improve the females＇ opportunity to increase their lifespan and fecundity. Moreover, a rise in egg-laying rate may lower the risk of female prereproductive death caused by rapid oviposition. In any case, the boost in female egg laying might also be beneficial for males because their number of offspring increases.
文摘The art of carving oxbone crafts goes back 300 years. The crafts vary in style and are most commonly found in Yixian County, Hebei Province. These crafts are made from the hipbone and legbone of the ox. The exquisite carving of the cabbage and intricate inlay work of the katydid is especially vivid. The carving is associated with the natural world in autumn.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31760014)the Science and Technology Foundations of Guizhou Province([2019]2451-3,[2016]2863).
