Mate availability does not influence mating strategies in males of the sexually cannibalistic spider Argiope bruennichi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual selection theory predicts that male investment in a current female should be a function of female density and male competition. While many studies have focused on male competition, the impact of female density on male mating investment has been widely neglected. Here, we aimed to close this gap and tested effects of mate density on male mating decisions in the orb-web spider Argiope bruennichi. Males of this species mutilate their genitalia during copulation, which reduces sperm competition and limits their mating rate to a maximum of two females (bigyny). The mating rate is frequently further reduced by female aggression and cannibalization. Males can reduce the risk of cannibalism if they jump off the female in time, but will then transfer fewer sperm. An

SUBMITTER: Cory AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6086085 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature