Fluctuating asymmetry and sperm transfer in male decorated field crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in limb size in female decorated field crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) was associated with a reduction in the size of the s permatophore and the amount of sperm transferred by males and an increase i n the rime taken to transfer a spermatophore following introduction of a fe male. There was a weaker negative relationship between limb asymmetry in ma les and sperm number but no significant relationship between asymmetry in e ither sex and spermatophylax size. In line with a previous study, female si ze did not appear to influence spermatophore production or mating decisions by males. The results imply that developmental instability affects both ga mete production and mating decisions among males, although the relationship s between spermatophore size, sperm number and asymmetry in females are unl ikely to be the result of males perceiving differences in female FA.