Mate quality, not aggressive spillover, explains sexual cannibalism in a size-dimorphic spider

Kralj‐Fišer, Simona; Schneider, Jutta M.; Justinek, Živa; Kalin, Sabina; Gregorič, Matjaž; Pekár, Stano; Kuntner, Matjaž

doi:10.1007/s00265-011-1262-7

Cited by 52 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Thus, when females select larger male body sizes, SSDH and MCH are not mutually exclusive (Dolomedes fimbriatus; Kralj-Fišer et al 2016). In fact, we observed that males that evaded female attacks later copulated with the same female, implying that the female attack may also serve as a mate check strategy (Nephilengys livida; Kralj-Fišer et al 2012). Females could benefit from mating with larger males because their offspring could inherit larger adult body sizes which could be advantageous in both foraging and mating contexts (Elgar 1992;Prenter et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Similarly, some studies found evidence in the line of the ASH (e.g. Johnson and Sih 2005, Foellmer and Khadka 2013, Rabaneda-Bueno et al 2014, while others failed to support the latter hypothesis (see Kralj-Fišer et al 2012, 2016.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Persons and Uetz 2005;Prenter et al 2006;Kralj-Fišer et al 2012). Alternatively, to the above adaptive hypotheses, non-adaptive hypotheses propose that either Pre-SC may be the result of females failing to recognize a putative mate and attacking, killing and consuming males as if they were any other prey ('mistaken identity hypothesis'; Goul 1984) or the result of an 'aggressive spillover'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Feeding regime, adult age and sexual size dimorphism as determinants of pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism in virgin wolf spiders

Gavín-Centol

Kralj‐Fišer

Mas

et al. 2016

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism (Pre-SC), where females attack and consume courting males, is considered an extreme case of sexual conflict. Different ultimate causes underlying this phenomenon have been proposed for more than a century and still remain unclear. The main objective of this research was to test the 'adaptive foraging hypothesis' in females of the non-burrowing wolf spider Lycosa fasciiventris. We exposed virgin adult females to either rich or poor diet treatments (differing in prey quality and availability) and offered them males at different adult female ages (a proxy of mate availability during adulthood). The analysis of correlative data served to evaluate other hypotheses/predictions. In order to test the 'mate choice hypothesis' and the 'sexual size dimorphism hypothesis', we tested how male absolute and relative (to the female) body size, respectively, affected the probability of Pre-SC. Finally, we asked if the female body size predicts the rate of Pre-SC as proposed by the 'aggressive spillover hypothesis'. Females from the poor diet treatment and females that were offered a mate shortly after reaching maturity more likely engaged in Pre-SC than females from the rich diet treatment and females that were deprived of males for longer periods. While females more likely cannibalized courting males of relatively or absolutely smaller body size, female absolute body size did not predict Pre-SC. Thus, our results support the 'adaptive foraging hypothesis', the 'mate choice hypothesis' and the 'sexual size dimorphism hypothesis' and failed to find support for one of the predictions of the 'aggressive spillover hypothesis'. Significance statementPre-copulatory sexual cannibalism, where females kill and devour courting males, may be costly for both sexes raising questions about its adaptive aspects and evolution. We used wolf spider Lycosa fasciiventris to test several existing hypotheses aiming to explain the phenomenon. Pre-copulatory cannibalism in virgin females was predicted by their food availability during adulthood, age at first male encounter and the relative body size of the courting male. Females more likely engaged in pre-copulatory cannibalism if they were poorly fed, young at first male encounter and relatively larger than their courting males. Thus, our data may simultaneously support the 'adaptive foraging', the 'sexual size dimorphism' and the 'mate choice' hypotheses as the explanations for precopulatory cannibalism occurrences in L. fasciiventris.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Feeding regime, adult age and sexual size dimorphism as determinants of pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism in virgin wolf spiders

Gavín-Centol

Kralj‐Fišer

Mas

et al. 2016

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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“…We define polygyny as male mating with more than one female, whereas monogynous males invest into repeated mating with the same female in an attempt to plug both of her copulatory openings. We based the inferred mating rates in nephilids and outgroups (Additional file 1: Table S1) on available experimental studies [13, 39–41, 48–73] and on genital damage data where single versus multiple male mating plugs per female copulatory opening predict monandry and polyandry, respectively [26, 35, 40, 41, 53]. Most Nephila species, and Phonognatha graeffei, are polyandrous [49, 61].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Female counter-adaptations may include modifications of female genital anatomy [10], physiological adjustments [11], and concealment of paternity [12]. Females may also engage in pre- or post-copulatory sexual cannibalism, thereby preventing unwanted copulations [13–16]. The intensity of sexual conflict and thus strength of selection acting on these traits may be influenced by the potential mating rates of both males and females [2, 17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of genital complexity and mating rates in sexually size dimorphic spiders

et al. 2016

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BackgroundGenital diversity may arise through sexual conflict over polyandry, where male genital features function to manipulate female mating frequency against her interest. Correlated genital evolution across animal groups is consistent with this view, but a link between genital complexity and mating rates remains to be established. In sexually size dimorphic spiders, golden orbweaving spiders (Nephilidae) males mutilate their genitals to form genital plugs, but these plugs do not always prevent female polyandry. In a comparative framework, we test whether male and female genital complexity coevolve, and how these morphologies, as well as sexual cannibalism, relate to the evolution of mating systems.ResultsUsing a combination of comparative tests, we show that male genital complexity negatively correlates with female mating rates, and that levels of sexual cannibalism negatively correlate with male mating rates. We also confirm a positive correlation between male and female genital complexity. The macroevolutionary trajectory is consistent with a repeated evolution from polyandry to monandry coinciding with the evolution towards more complex male genitals.ConclusionsThese results are consistent with the predictions from sexual conflict theory, although sexual conflict may not be the only mechanism responsible for the evolution of genital complexity and mating systems. Nevertheless, our comparative evidence suggests that in golden orbweavers, male genital complexity limits female mating rates, and sexual cannibalism by females coincides with monogyny.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0821-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Intrasexual aggression reduces mating success in field crickets

Tinsley,

Bailey

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Aggressive behaviour is thought to have significant consequences for fitness, sexual selection and the evolution of social interactions, but studies measuring its expression across successive encounters—both intra‐ and intersexual—are limited. We used the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus to evaluate factors affecting repeatability of male aggression and its association with mating success. We quantified focal male aggression expressed towards partners and received from partners in three successive, paired trials, each involving a different male partner. We then measured a proxy of focal male fitness in mating trials with females. The likelihood and extent of aggressive behaviour varied across trials, but repeatability was negligible, and we found no evidence that patterns of focal aggression resulted from interacting partner identity or prior experience. Males who consistently experienced aggression in previous trials showed decreased male mating ‘efficiency’—determined by the number of females a male encountered before successfully mating, but the effect was weak and we found no other evidence that intrasexual aggression was associated with later mating success. During mating trials, however, we observed unexpected male aggression towards females, and this was associated with markedly decreased male mating efficiency and success. Our findings suggest that nonadaptive aggressive spillover in intersexual mating contexts could be an important but underappreciated factor influencing the evolution of intrasexual aggression.

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Mate quality, not aggressive spillover, explains sexual cannibalism in a size-dimorphic spider

Cited by 52 publications

References 42 publications

Feeding regime, adult age and sexual size dimorphism as determinants of pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism in virgin wolf spiders

Feeding regime, adult age and sexual size dimorphism as determinants of pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism in virgin wolf spiders

The evolution of genital complexity and mating rates in sexually size dimorphic spiders

Intrasexual aggression reduces mating success in field crickets

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