Correlation between spermathecal morphology and mating systems in spiders |
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Authors: | WILLIAM G EBERHARD SUSANA GUZMÀN-GÒMEZ KEFYN M CATLEY |
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Institution: | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria, Costa Rica;Centro de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70–275, C.P. 04510, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F.;Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | This study tested predictions regarding male mating preferences which were based on some aspects of female reproductive morphology which may influence sperm precedence patterns in six species of spiders. Males of two species, whose 'conduit' spermathecal design has been associated in previous studies with first male sperm precedence, showed the predicted preference for associating with immature females about to moult to maturity rather than mature females. Those of a third species, however, associated indiscriminately with mature and penultimate instar females. As predicted, males of three other species with 'cul-de-sac' spermathecal morphology did not associate preferentially with immature females. Immature females were avoided in two of the species, but not in the third. One of the species with cul-de-sac spermathecae showed, as predicted, lack of a strong first male advantage in sperm precedence. These data give only limited confirmation of the predictions. |
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Keywords: | Sperm precedence mating system spermathecal morphology Arachnida |
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