Alternative male mating tactics and direct benefits via spermatophore transfer in the neotropical cricket Macroanaxipha macilenta (Saussure, 1897)

Abstract Male crickets transfer sperm via a spermatophore, which also contains compounds that enhance ovulation, egg hatching, and the female's longevity. These compounds also may induce mechanisms to guarantee males’ paternity. In Macroanaxipha macilenta (Saussure, 1897) , there are two male morphs, the Wide-Forewing, and the Narrow-Forewing. During mating, Wide-Forewing males transfer one spermatophore to the female, whereas Narrow-Forewing males transfer two. We analyzed the effects of spermatophores on the fecundity and lifespan of females mated with Wide-Forewing and Narrow-Forewing males. While both types of spermatophores contain sperm, reproductive success varied between the two groups. We found that 41.37% of the females mated with Wide-Forewing and 30.46% of the females mated with Narrow-Forewing males had offspring. The study shows that while spermatophore consumption does not affect fecundity. Moreover, females mated with Narrow-Forewing males had a longer lifespan than females mated with Wide-Forewing males. Our results suggest that Wide-Forewing and Narrow-Forewing males might represent alternative mating tactics with different payoffs.