Males of low genetic quality are more successful in fertilizing eggs

Contrary to predictions, males of high genetic quality are not very successful when it comes to fertilizing eggs. A new study on seed beetles at the Department of Ecology and Evolution, Uppsala University, Sweden, in cooperation with the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark, shows that, contrary to predictions, males of low genetic quality are more successful in fertilizing eggs. Males who gained the highest share of paternity were actually males with low genetic quality. These males also fathered offspring that did less well.

The results support the suggestion that genes that are good for males may often be bad for their mates. Therefore, in beetles at least, multiple mating does not award females with genetic benefits

The study is published in this week’s issue of Science.