Female fireflies (Photinus ignitus) can use the protein from a digested spermatophore to fuel development of their eggs. This suggests that there are exceptions to Bateman's prediction that
A) females are rather passive participants in courtship and mating.
B) female reproductive success should not increase with an increase in number of mates.
C) males incur trivial costs when mating.
D) all of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bateman's principle suggests that female reproductive success does not significantly increase with the number of mates because they are limited by the number of eggs they can produce, not by the number of mates. However, if female fireflies can use the protein from a digested spermatophore to fuel egg development, it implies that their reproductive success could indeed increase with an increase in the number of mates, contradicting Bateman's prediction.

Female Fireflies (Photinus Ignitus) Can Use the Protein from a Digested