Effects of Artificial Selection for Walking Movement on Reproductive Traits in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

This study investigated the effects of variation of walking movement in reproductive traits in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. The results revealed that reproductive success of the beetle is differed between genetically higher movement strain and genetically lower movement strain. These strains make it possible to investigate whether track of walking is differed between the strains. Moreover, parameters derived from the two strains provide an opportunity for computational simulation of evolution of variation in movement activity. Animal movement is associated with their reproduction. Many studies have reported a trade-off between wing size and reproductive success of females in flight insects. However, there are few studies that focused on other ways of movement (e.g., walking). In the present study, we have established the strains of higher (LW) and lower (SW) walking activity by artificial selection in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Moreover, we investigated and compared of reproductive traits of each sex between the selected strains. In males, individuals from LW strains showed significantly higher mating success than SW strain. While, in females, individuals from LW strains showed significantly smaller egg than SW strains. The present results suggest that walking activity is associated with reproductive traits in both sexes.