Comparing Chrysochus Beetle's Copulation Patterns

The effects of copulation duration are understudied in heterospecific mating treatments of the Chrysochus beetles species. These species interactions and mating patterns can be closely observed in hybrid zones which are where the different species meet, mate, and reproduce. I was able to analyze the heterospecific and conspecific mating effects on copulation duration in the Chrysochus auratus beetle. The C. auratus species forms a hybrid zone with their sister species, C. cobaltinus, in south-central Washington state. The results of this study showed that the copulation duration was significantly longer in heterospecific matings compared to conspecific matings. It was also found that there was no significance of the female’s previous mating partner on the overall copulation duration. Based on these results, we can further research the female preferences in the beetles’ conspecific sexual partners and determine if the copulation duration affects the mating success.