Foreleg Autotomy Reduces Mating Success of Male <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizocosa ocreata</Emphasis> Wolf Spiders |
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Authors: | Phillip W Taylor J Andrew Roberts Anne E Wignall George W Uetz |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia;(2) Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA;(3) Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA |
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Abstract: | Autotomy is a taxonomically widespread antipredator tactic that allows animals to escape life-threatening situations. Opposing
the benefits of survival, animals that have autotomized appendages may later suffer reduced ability in important determinants
of fitness. Male Schizocosa ocreata wolf spiders use their forelegs during courtship for visual displays, for tactile courtship, and to defend against attacks
by females. In nature they are often found missing one, and sometimes both, forelegs. We found that autotomy of one foreleg
has little effect on male ability to mate with virgin females, but that autotomy of both forelegs causes a significant reduction
in mating success. Among males that mated, autotomy of one or both forelegs did not influence latency until mating, period
spent mounted, probability that his mate would accept a subsequent suitor, or probability that his mate would kill a subsequent
suitor. |
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Keywords: | Wolf spiders Schizocosa ocreata autotomy courtship mating |
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