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Abstract |
Sperm quality determines offspring fitness. However, investment into sperm being costly, it depends on the health or condition of males. According to the differential allocation hypothesis, males should decrease their investment into sperm when mated with a low-quality female. In this study, we show that, in the black-legged kittiwake, a monogamous seabird, sperm quality affects chick performance and that good-quality males produce a sperm of good quality. In addition, males mated with more genetically compatible females produce better quality sperm. This study suggests that the effects of sperm quality on offspring fitness may act as a natural selective pressure on males' differential allocation strategies. |
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