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Sexual Communication (sexual + communication)
Selected AbstractsDivergence in Female Duetting Signals in the Enchenopa binotata Species Complex of Treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)ETHOLOGY, Issue 12 2006Rafael L. Rodríguez Sexual communication often involves signal exchanges between the sexes, or duetting, in which mate choice is expressed through response signals. With both sexes acting as signalers and receivers, variation in the signals of males and females may be important for mate choice, reproductive isolation, and divergence. In the Enchenopa binotata species complex , a case study of sympatric speciation in which vibrational duetting may have an important role , male signals are species-specific, females choose among males on the basis of signal traits that reflect species and individual differences, and female preferences have exerted divergent selection on male signals. Here, we describe variation in female signals in the E. binotata species complex. We report substantial species differences in the spectral and temporal features of female signals, and in their timing relative to male signals. These differences were similar in range to differences in male signals in the E. binotata complex. We consider processes that might contribute to divergence in female signals, and suggest that signal evolution in the E. binotata complex may be influenced by mate choice in both sexes. [source] Missing link in firefly bioluminescence revealed: NO regulation of photocyte respirationBIOESSAYS, Issue 11 2001Michael D. Greenfield Sexual communication in most species of fireflies is a male,female dialogue of precisely timed flashes of bioluminescent light. The biochemical reactions underlying firefly bioluminescence have been known for 30 years and are now exploited in biomedical assays and other commercial applications. Several aspects of flash regulation are also understood: flash rhythm is controlled by a central pattern generator, and individual flashes are neurally triggered, with octopamine serving as the transmitter. The molecular oxygen needed by the biochemical reactants is delivered by a network of tracheal arborizations extending throughout the light organ (lantern). However, the actual means by which oxygen quickly reaches the reactants packaged within specialized photocytes and the specific event(s) triggered by neural action have not been identified; termination of axons away from the photocytes has exacerbated the latter problem. A recent paper(1) by a consortium of cell and evolutionary biologists, however, reports that nitric oxide (NO), manufactured and released in response to neuronal discharge, is the missing link by which neural action in the firefly lantern yields a sudden flash of light. BioEssays 23:992,995, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Female Attraction to Conspecific Chemical Cues in the Palmate Newt Triturus helveticusETHOLOGY, Issue 8 2005Jean Secondi Although chemosignals are largely used in sexual communication in urodeles, olfactometer studies in newts provided contrasting results about the sex specificity of female behavioural responses. Because long-range sexual advertisement is believed to be costly, some species might restrain this activity to close interactions with conspecifics. We tested chemical-mediated sexual attraction in female palmate newt (Triturus helveticus) by measuring the attraction to male and female odours in a linear water olfactometer. Unexpectedly, females were attracted towards conspecifics regardless of sex. They did not show attraction towards Limnaea stagnalis, a common sympatric aquatic gastropod. These results do not support the use of long-range male sexual signalling in the palmate newt. Instead, conspecific attraction is likely to promote aggregation of males and females in breeding ponds. Observations in the field and in the laboratory tend to support the aggregative behaviour of this species. We discuss the possible function of conspecific attraction in this context. Heading towards any conspecific would increase the probability of finding potential mates. Chemical cues do not need to be sex-specific at that stage so that long-range sexual advertisement might be unnecessary. This work emphasizes the need for studies investigating the evolutionary relationships between sexual signalling systems and population-distribution patterns. [source] He Said, She Said: Gender Differences in Mother , Adolescent Conversations about SexualityJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2002Eva S. Lefkowitz This study examined gender differences in self-reported and observed conversations about sexual issues. Fifty mother ,adolescent dyads reported on their conversations about sexual issues and participated in videotaped conversations about dating and sexuality in a laboratory setting. Gender differences (more mother , daughter than mother ,son) were found in the extent of sexual communication based on adolescents' reports, but no gender differences were found based on mothers' reports, or on observations of conversations. Aspects of laboratory interactions, however, did distinguish mother, daughter and mother , son dyads, and related to self-report measures. Girls' reported sexuality communication frequency related to behavior in the laboratory setting. During mother , son conversations, one person usually took on the role of questioner, whereas the other did not. In contrast, there was evidence for mutuality of positive emotions for mother , daughter dyads, but not for mother , son dyads. [source] Sexual Utterances and Common LifeMODERN THEOLOGY, Issue 4 2000David Matzko McCarthy The essay discusses sexual activity as forms of communication that are constitutive of social practices. In this context, marriage is understood as a representative practice of the church, nothing more and nothing less. The essay draws on Thomas Nagel's essay, ,Sexual Perversion', and Robert Solomon'ls ,Sexual Paradigms' for its account of sexual communication. For its critical perspective, it frames questions about sex with Herbert McCabe's account of bodily utterances as ,ways of entering into social life' [source] Positive sexual communication and socialization in the parent-adolescent contextNEW DIRECTIONS FOR CHILD & ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, Issue 112 2006Eva S. Lefkowitz This chapter provides an expanded view of parent- adolescent sexual communication and socialization in an effort to move beyond risk perspectives toward a consideration of other important aspects of sexual socialization. [source] Pilot intervention to enhance sexual rehabilitation for couples after treatment for localized prostate carcinoma,CANCER, Issue 12 2005Andrea L. Canada Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND The majority of prostate carcinoma survivors experience enduring sexual difficulties and associated distress in the years after definitive treatment. A counseling intervention aimed at improving levels of sexual satisfaction and increasing successful utilization of medical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) was developed and pilot-tested for both the survivor of prostate carcinoma and his partner. METHODS All male participants were 3-month to 5-year survivors of localized prostate carcinoma who had been treated with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy, and were married or in a committed relationship. Couples were randomized to attend four sessions of counseling together or to have the man attend alone. In both groups, partners completed behavioral homework. The sessions included education on prostate carcinoma and sexual function and options to treat ED as well as sexual communication and stimulation skills. Standardized questionnaires at baseline, posttreatment, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessed sexual function, marital adjustment, psychologic distress, and utilization of treatments for ED. RESULTS Fifty-one of 84 couples randomized to treatment completed the intervention (61%). Attendance by the partner did not affect outcomes. Participants completing the intervention demonstrated improvment in male overall distress (P < 0.01), male global sexual function (P < 0.0001), and female global sexual function (P < 0.05) at 3-month follow-up, but regression toward baseline was noted at 6-month follow-up. However, utilization of ED treatments increased from 31% at the time of study entry to 49% at the 6-month follow-up (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The results of this brief pilot counseling intervention demonstrated significant gains in sexual function and satisfaction and increased utilization of treatments for ED. However, modifications are needed in future randomized trials to reduce the rate of premature termination and to improve long-term maintenance of gains. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] | |||||||||||||