Evidence for the use of defensive compounds for sexual purposes is scarce, even though sexual selection might have some importance for the evolution of defensive traits.
This study investigates the effect of defense-related traits and body size on mating success in two sister species of leaf beetle differing in their type of chemical defense. Oreina gloriosa produces autogenous cardenolides, whereas O. Larger O.
In the laboratory, particular pairings recurred repeatedly in this species, indicating mate fidelity. Because toxicity is heritable in O.
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Institutional subscriptions. Amano, T. Pharmacophagous acquisition of clerodendrins by the turnip sawfly Athalia rosae ruficornis and their role in the mating behaviour. Chemoecology — Google Scholar. Andersson, M. Sexual Selection.
