NONMATING COSTS OF EXPOSURE TO MALES IN FEMALE DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

Female D. melanogaster exposed to males have shorter lifespans than females not so exposed, in the absence of differences in egg-production and egg-fertility. It is here shown that part of this reduction is caused by events prior to mating. Both non-sexual effects and some consequence of male sexual activities appear to be involved. The mechanism by which non-mating exposure reduces lifespan appears to depend upon the mating status of the females. © 1990.