In Fireflies, Flightless Females Lose Out on Gifts from Males
Monday, April 4, 2011 - 17:00
in Biology & Nature
Research by Tufts biologists shows that wingless "stay-at-home" female fireflies get less support from their mates than females able to fly. Some male fireflies donate a "nuptial gift" to mates--sperm wrapped in a nutritious high-protein package. When a species' females lose the ability to fly, the males evolve to transfer only sperm, with no food gift.