Sources of Intraspecific Variation in Sperm Precedence in Red Flour Beetles

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Abstract
Sperm precedence, or differential fertilization success among mating males, is likely to be important in mediating male reproductive success in many species. Numerous studies have provided measures of sperm precedence for diverse taxonomic groups, but previous discussions have focused on species-specific mean P2 values. In this study, which systematically examined sources of variation in sperm precedence in Tribolium castaneum, consistent differences among male pairs represent a significant percentage (17.8%) of the total variation in sperm precedence. These results in T. castaneum and a reexamination of published studies reveal a high degree of intraspecific variation in sperm precedence, suggesting that mean values are insufficient to adequately characterize sperm-precedence patterns. Such individual variation in sperm precedence may profoundly influence differential reproductive success among males.

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