Kumpitsch Luisa, Johannesson Kerstin, Havenhand Jonathan N, Leder Erica H
Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences University of Gothenburg Strömstad Sweden.
Natural History Museum University of Oslo Oslo Norway.
Ecol Evol. 2025 Aug 3;15(8):e71865. doi: 10.1002/ece3.71865. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Reproductive barriers limit gene flow and drive population divergence. Sperm morphology plays an important role in reproductive barriers, as successful fertilization depends on how well sperm perform in the female environment. Specifically, sperm length must be adapted to fit the female reproductive tract and storage organs. We investigated sperm length in species and ecotypes of , a genus of promiscuous marine snails with internal fertilization. Various species have ecotypes adapted to different shoreline environments where reproductive traits like sperm length divergence might play a role in reinforcing these barriers. Due to their promiscuity, sperm competition likely plays a role in , and sperm length variation can give insights regarding sperm competition intensities. This study examined eusperm length in four species (, , , ) and two different ecotypes in both and . The ecotypes of both and differed in eusperm lengths, indicating the potential for this trait to be involved in prezygotic reproductive barriers between ecotypes of these species. Among-species differences in eusperm length variation were observed and may be a result of different sperm competition intensities.
生殖屏障限制基因流动并推动种群分化。精子形态在生殖屏障中起着重要作用，因为成功受精取决于精子在雌性体内环境中的表现。具体而言，精子长度必须适应雌性生殖道和储存器官。我们研究了一种体内受精的滥交海洋蜗牛属物种及其生态型的精子长度。该属的各种物种都有适应不同海岸线环境的生态型，在这些环境中，诸如精子长度差异等生殖特征可能在强化这些屏障方面发挥作用。由于它们的滥交行为，精子竞争可能在该属中发挥作用，精子长度的变化可以提供有关精子竞争强度的见解。本研究检查了四种物种（[物种名1]、[物种名2]、[物种名3]、[物种名4]）以及该属两个不同生态型的真精子长度。该属两个生态型的真精子长度存在差异，表明这一特征可能参与了这些物种生态型之间的合子前生殖屏障。观察到真精子长度变化在物种间存在差异，这可能是不同精子竞争强度的结果。
