Diversification through gustatory courtship: an X-ray micro-computed tomography study on dwarf spiders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual selection has been considered to promote diversification and speciation. Sexually dimorphic species have been used to explore the supposed effect, however, with mixed results. In dwarf spiders (Erigoninae), many species are sexually dimorphic-males possess marked prosomal modifications. These male traits vary from moderate elevations to bizarre shapes in various prosomal regions. Previous studies established that male dwarf spiders produce substances in these prosomal modifications that are taken up by the females. These substances can act as nuptial gifts, which increase the mating probability of males and the oviposition rate in females. Therefore, these dimorphic traits have evolved in the context of sexual selection. Here, we explore the evolutionary lability

SUBMITTER: Lin SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8480068 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature