ISSN:
1432-0762
Keywords:
Key words Spiders
;
Mating system
;
Sexual selection
;
Monogamy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Field studies of the desert spider Agelenopsis aperta revealed a primarily monogamous mating system. However polygyny, polyandry and polygynandry were superimposed upon the primary system, with 9% of the marked males and 11% of the marked females in a field population mating more than once. In the laboratory males commonly mated multiply with fertile offspring resulting, while females were less likely than males to mate multiply. Monogamy under field conditions was enforced by two factors: (1) high travel costs to males, and (2) a significant decline in female receptivity after the first mating. Heavy males were more likely to be accepted by females both in the field, and in female choice experiments conducted in the laboratory. Finally, male weight determined the outcome of male-male agonistic interactions over females. One possible explanation for female choice in this system which lacks male parental investment is that females may be using male size as an indicator of future success of their offspring.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00167792
Permalink
