Discussion: After analyzing the data from the experiment, we found that the difference between the groups with one male, and those with two males, was not statistically significant as our p-value was well above the accepted value of 0.05. The mean difference in latency to copulation for the two groups was only 1.4 seconds. As seen in the results, the presence of male-male competition does not significantly impact latency to copulation in the Tenebrio molitor species. Our experiment focused on the impact that male-male competition had on the latency to copulation of T. molitor. With another male present in the arena, we predicted that latency to copulation would increase. The data did not support our hypothesis which leads us to question a
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Breeding on a napkin is far different from breeding in their own natural environment. We were supposed to replace the napkin after each trial, but forgot a few times, possibly resulting in the sharing of pheromones from previous trials.
There was also the issue of sexing the organisms. Their similarity in size and color, as well as our lack of experience sexing beetles could have resulted in quite a few mis-sexed beetles. If a male was falsely identified as a female, they would be unable to breed with another male, thus changing the overall outcome of the …show more content…
Since the majority of our attention was on the broad aspects of intersexual and intrasexual selection, we failed to account for some of the other factors associated with the selection of a mate. As discovered in previous research on T. molitor, the use of sex pheromones appears to play a significant role in their mating process (Karlson and Luscher, 1959). By releasing and detecting chemical or hormonal signals, species are able to communicate in ways that are unseen to the naked eye. While it may appear as though two individuals want nothing to do with one another, they are constantly communicating through the use of pheromones. However, the use of non-verbal/non-physical cues does not strictly apply to T. molitor. Humans, for example, are known to pick mates based on their scent (Wedekind, 1997). Due its prevalence within a variety of species, it is important that we understand the role pheromones play in sexual selection. Moving forward, future research on this topic needs to focus on the role of pheromones. These non-visual ways of communicating need to be examined further in order to gain a better understanding of the role they play in sexual selection. A future study (with more advanced equipment) could look at the impact pheromones have on the level of sexual attraction between two organisms. Instead of simply recording the latency to copulation, researchers could
Breeding on a napkin is far different from breeding in their own natural environment. We were supposed to replace the napkin after each trial, but forgot a few times, possibly resulting in the sharing of pheromones from previous trials.
There was also the issue of sexing the organisms. Their similarity in size and color, as well as our lack of experience sexing beetles could have resulted in quite a few mis-sexed beetles. If a male was falsely identified as a female, they would be unable to breed with another male, thus changing the overall outcome of the …show more content…
Since the majority of our attention was on the broad aspects of intersexual and intrasexual selection, we failed to account for some of the other factors associated with the selection of a mate. As discovered in previous research on T. molitor, the use of sex pheromones appears to play a significant role in their mating process (Karlson and Luscher, 1959). By releasing and detecting chemical or hormonal signals, species are able to communicate in ways that are unseen to the naked eye. While it may appear as though two individuals want nothing to do with one another, they are constantly communicating through the use of pheromones. However, the use of non-verbal/non-physical cues does not strictly apply to T. molitor. Humans, for example, are known to pick mates based on their scent (Wedekind, 1997). Due its prevalence within a variety of species, it is important that we understand the role pheromones play in sexual selection. Moving forward, future research on this topic needs to focus on the role of pheromones. These non-visual ways of communicating need to be examined further in order to gain a better understanding of the role they play in sexual selection. A future study (with more advanced equipment) could look at the impact pheromones have on the level of sexual attraction between two organisms. Instead of simply recording the latency to copulation, researchers could