Pre-copulatory choices drive post-copulatory decisions: mechanisms of female control shift across different life stages.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 'wallflower' hypothesis proposes females mate indiscriminately to avoid reproductive delays. Post-copulatory mechanisms may then allow 'trading up', favouring paternity of future mates. We tested links between pre- and post-copulatory choice in Latrodectus geometricus female spiders paired sequentially with two males. These females copulate as adults or as subadults and store sperm in paired spermathecae. Choosy adults have a higher risk of delays to reproduction than subadults.

Results

We predicted low pre-copulatory, but high post-copulatory choice at first matings for adults and the opposite for subadults. At second matings, we expected all females would prefer males superior to their first. We found all females mated indiscriminately at their first pairing

SUBMITTER: Sentenska L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10294400 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature