1
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Cordero-Molina S, Fetter-Pruneda I, Contreras-Garduño J. Neural mechanisms involved in female mate choice in invertebrates. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1291635. [PMID: 38269245 PMCID: PMC10807292 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1291635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a critical decision with direct implications for fitness. Although it has been recognized for over 150 years, our understanding of its underlying mechanisms is still limited. Most studies on mate choice focus on the evolutionary causes of behavior, with less attention given to the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved. This is especially true for invertebrates, where research on mate choice has largely focused on male behavior. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the neural, molecular and neurohormonal mechanisms of female choice in invertebrates, including behaviors before, during, and after copulation. We identify areas of research that have not been extensively explored in invertebrates, suggesting potential directions for future investigation. We hope that this review will stimulate further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagrario Cordero-Molina
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ingrid Fetter-Pruneda
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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2
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Schult J, Preik O, Kirschner S, Friedrich F. A biosemiotic interpretation of certain genital morphological structures in the spiders Dysdera erythrina and Dysdera crocata (Araneae: Dysderidae). Theory Biosci 2023; 142:371-382. [PMID: 37702887 PMCID: PMC10564669 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-023-00404-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
A biosemiotic approach to the interpretation of morphological data is apt to highlight morphological traits that have hitherto gone unnoticed for their crucial roles in intraspecific sign interpretation and communication processes. Examples of such traits include specific genital structures found in the haplogyne spiders Dysdera erythrina (Walckenaer 1802) and Dysdera crocata (Koch 1838). In both D. erythrina and D. crocata, the distal sclerite of the male bulb and the anterior diverticulum of the female endogyne exhibit a striking, previously unreported correspondence in size and shape, allowing for a precise match between these structures during copulation. In D. erythrina, the sclerite at the tip of the bulb and the anterior diverticulum are semi-circular in shape, whereas in D. crocata they are rectangular. From the perspective of biosemiotics, which studies the production and interpretation of signs and codes in living systems, these structures are considered the morphological zones of an intraspecific sign interpretation process. This process constitutes one of the necessary prerequisites for sperm transfer and the achievement of fertilization. Therefore, these morphological elements deserve particular attention as they hold higher taxonomic value compared to morphological traits of the bulb for which a relevant role in mating and fertilization has not been proven. Thus, an approach to species delimitation based on biosemiotics, with its specific evaluation of morphological structures, provides new insights for the multidisciplinary endeavour of modern integrative taxonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Schult
- Department of Biology, History of Science Research Unit, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Onno Preik
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Biology Research Unit, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kirschner
- Department of Biology, History of Science Research Unit, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Friedrich
- Department of Biology, Teaching and Science Service, Electron Microscopy, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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3
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Dederichs TM, Huber BA, Michalik P. Evolutionary morphology of sperm in pholcid spiders (Pholcidae, Synspermiata). BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:52. [PMID: 37170331 PMCID: PMC10127419 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00148-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pholcidae represent one of the largest and most diverse spider families and have been subject to various studies regarding behavior and reproductive biology. In contrast to the solid knowledge on phylogeny and general reproductive morphology, the primary male reproductive system is strongly understudied, as it has been addressed only for few species. Those studies however suggested a high diversity of sperm and seminal secretions across the family. To address this disparity and reconstruct the evolution of sperm traits, we investigate the primary male reproductive system of pholcid spiders by means of light, X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy using a comprehensive taxon sampling with 46 species from 33 genera, representing all five subfamilies.
Results
Our data show a high disparity of sperm morphology and seminal secretions within pholcids. We document several sperm characters that are unique for pholcids, such as a helical band (Pholcinae) or a lamellate posterior centriolar adjunct material (Modisiminae). Character mapping revealed several putative synapomorphies for individual taxa. With regard to sperm transfer forms, we found that synspermia occur only in the subfamily Ninetinae, whereas the other subfamilies have cleistospermia. In several species with cleistospermia, we demonstrate that spermatids remain fused until late stages of spermiogenesis before ultimately separating shortly before the coiling process. Additionally, we explored the previously hypothesized correlation between sperm size and minimum diameter of the spermophor in the male palpal organ. We show that synspermia differ strongly in size whereas cleistospermia are rather uniform, but neither transfer form is positively correlated with the diameter of the spermophor.
Conclusions
Our data revealed a dynamic evolution of sperm characters, with convergences across all subfamilies and a high level of homoplasy. The present diversity can be related to subfamily level and allows for assignments of specific subtypes of spermatozoa. Our observations support the idea that Ninetinae are an ancestral clade within Pholcidae that have retained synspermia and that synspermia represent the ancestral sperm transfer form of Pholcidae.
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4
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Dharmarathne WDSC, Herberstein ME. Limitations of sperm transfer in the complex reproductive system of spiders. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In spiders, sperm transfer from the male to the female is indirect via secondary copulatory structures, the pedipalps. At the time of transfer the sperm are not mobile and the ejaculate needs to move through narrow male and female ducts to the female sperm storage organ. In addition, copulation duration can be very short, often limited to just a few seconds. Finally, sexual cannibalism and genital damage limits male life-time mating opportunities. These features of the reproductive biology in spiders are likely to result in sperm transfer constraints. Here we review the intrinsic and extrinsic sperm transfer limitations and conduct a meta-analysis on sperm transfer data from published data. Most of the information available relates to orb-web spiders, but our meta-analysis also includes non-orb-web spiders. Our review identifies some of the behavioural factors that have been shown to influence sperm transfer, and lists several morphological and physiological traits where we do not yet know how they might affect sperm transfer.
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5
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Yaguchi H, Kobayashi I, Maekawa K, Nalepa CA. Extra-pair paternity in the wood-feeding cockroach Cryptocercus punctulatus Scudder: Social but not genetic monogamy. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6743-6758. [PMID: 34543485 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Subsocial Cryptocercus cockroaches are the sister group to termites and considered to be socially monogamous. Because genetic monogamy is a suggested requirement for evolution of cooperative breeding/eusociality, particularly in hymenopterans, clarification of the mating biology of Cryptocercus would help illuminate evolutionary trends in eusocial insects. To investigate possible extra-pair paternity in C. punctulatus, microsatellite markers were used to analyse offspring parentage, the stored sperm in females and results of experimental manipulation of sperm competition. Extra-pair paternity was common in field-collected families, but a lack of maternal alleles in several nymphs suggests sampling error or adoption. Isolating prereproductive pairs and assaying subsequently produced nymphs confirmed that nymphs lacked alleles from the pair male in 40% of families, with extra-pair male(s) siring 27%-77% of nymphs. Sperm of extra-pair males was detected in the spermatheca of 51% of paired prereproductive females. Mate switching and surgical manipulation of male mating ability indicated a tendency towards last male sperm precedence. Overall, the results demonstrate that about half of young females are serially monogamous during their maturational year, but bond, overwinter and produce their only set of offspring in company of the last mated male (=pair male). Repeated mating by the pair male increases the number of nymphs sired, but because many females use stored sperm of previous copulatory partners to fertilize eggs, pair males extend parental care to unrelated nymphs. The results suggest that genetic monogamy either developed in the termite ancestor after splitting from the Cryptocercus lineage, or that genetic monogamy may not be a strict prerequisite for the evolution of termite eusociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Yaguchi
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
| | - Itaru Kobayashi
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Maekawa
- Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Christine A Nalepa
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Greenway EV, Hamel JA, Miller CW. Exploring the effects of extreme polyandry on estimates of sexual selection and reproductive success. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Multiple mating by females can dramatically alter selection on males by creating indirect interactions between rivals via sperm competition. Exactly how this behavior alters the relationship between male mating and fertilization success depends on multiple factors: re-mating frequency, sperm usage patterns, and mating assortment (the extent to which the most promiscuous individuals mate with each other). Here, we explore the role these elements play in determining sexual selection in a highly polygyandrous species, the squash bug Anasa tristis. Using replicated semi-natural enclosures, in which individuals were able to freely interact for a 2-week period, we tracked matings between individuals and subsequent female offspring production. Multiple mating was extremely common, resulting in very high levels of sperm competition intensity. However, network analysis revealed that the most promiscuous males mated with less polyandrous females, and therefore experienced lower levels of sperm competition. As a result, estimated male reproductive success increased with mating success, but this relationship varied according to the mode of sperm utilization with which it was calculated. Furthermore, females with more mating partners produced more offspring, suggesting they also benefit from mating multiply. Our findings highlight that polyandry has numerous and complex effects on sexual selection which may only be exposed when examined under naturalistic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V(Ginny) Greenway
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer A Hamel
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, Elon University, Elon, NC, USA
| | - Christine W Miller
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Cargnelutti F, Calbacho‐Rosa L, Peretti AV. Genital movements are not restricted to spermatozoa transfer in a haplogyne spider. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franco Cargnelutti
- Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET) Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA) Córdoba Argentina
| | - Lucia Calbacho‐Rosa
- Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET) Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA) Córdoba Argentina
| | - Alfredo Vicente Peretti
- Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET) Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA) Córdoba Argentina
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8
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Sentenská L, Neumann A, Lubin Y, Uhl G. Functional morphology of immature mating in a widow spider. Front Zool 2021; 18:19. [PMID: 33902650 PMCID: PMC8074507 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00404-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mating generally occurs after individuals reach adulthood. In many arthropods including spiders, the adult stage is marked by a final moult after which the genitalia are fully developed and functional. In several widow spider species (genus Latrodectus), however, immature females may mate a few days before they moult to adulthood, i.e. in their late-subadult stage. While the “adult” mating typically results in cannibalism, males survive the “immature” mating. During both “immature” and “adult” matings, males leave parts of their paired copulatory organs within female genitalia, which may act as mating plugs. To study potential costs and benefits of the two mating tactics, we investigated female genital morphology of the brown widow spider, L. geometricus. Light microscopy, histology and micro-computed tomography of early-subadult, late-subadult and adult females were conducted to determine the overall pattern of genital maturation. We compared genitalia of mated late-subadult and adult females to reveal potential differences in the genitalic details that might indicate differential success in sperm transfer and different environments for sperm storage and sperm competition. Results We found that the paired sperm storage organs (spermathecae) and copulatory ducts are developed already in late-subadult females and host sperm after immature mating. However, the thickness of the spermathecal cuticle and the staining of the secretions inside differ significantly between the late-subadult and adult females. In late-subadult females mating plugs were found with higher probability in both spermathecae compared to adult females. Conclusions Sperm transfer in matings with late-subadult females follows the same route as in matings with adult females. The observed differences in the secretions inside the spermathecae of adult and late-subadult females likely reflect different storage conditions for the transferred sperm which may lead to a disadvantage under sperm competition if the subadult female later re-mates with another male. However, since males mating with late-subadult females typically transfer sperm to both spermathecae they might benefit from numerical sperm competition as well as from monopolizing access to the female sperm storage organs. The assessment of re-mating probability and relative paternity will clarify the costs and benefits of the two mating tactics in light of these findings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00404-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Sentenská
- Department of General and Systematic Zoology, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany. .,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Aileen Neumann
- Department of General and Systematic Zoology, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- Department of General and Systematic Zoology, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
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9
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Adams SA, Gerbaulet M, Schulz S, Gillespie RG, Uhl G. Chemical Species Recognition in a Tetragnatha Spider (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:63-72. [PMID: 33392896 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01237-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Much of our knowledge regarding the role of chemicals in species recognition in arthropods is based on a few taxonomic groups, predominantly insect pest species. To investigate the chemical underpinnings of species recognition cues in other arthropods, we conducted mate choice experiments and analyzed the chemical profiles of two species in the long-jawed spider genus Tetragnatha from allopatric populations across two different continents. In two separate bioassays, in which male T. extensa spiders were presented with either web silk or extracts from the silk of conspecific and heterospecific females, males consistently chose the silk or silk extract of conspecific females over those of heterospecifics. We examined the chemistry affecting this response using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze silk and whole-body extracts of the spiders. The major compounds in the extracts were identified as long chain aliphatic methyl ethers. The chemical profiles of the two species differed: the T. extensa profile consisted of 12,20-dimethylnonacosyl methyl ether (A), 8,14,20-trimethylnonacosyl methyl ether (B), and 6,14,20-trimethylnonacosyl methyl ether (C), while the profile of T. versicolor consisted of B and 14,20-dimethylnonacosyl methyl ether (D). Within each species, chemical profiles of females and males did not differ. Our results suggest that these methyl ethers are involved in species recognition of Tetragnatha spiders. This is the first study to propose compounds involved in species recognition in spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seira A Adams
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, #3114, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3114, USA.
| | - Moritz Gerbaulet
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rosemary G Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, #3114, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3114, USA
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- Department of General and Systematic Zoology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Straße 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
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10
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Moura RR, Oliveira ID, Vasconcellos‐Neto J, Gonzaga MO. “Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise”: Indiscriminate male care in a neotropical spider. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rios Moura
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Núcleo de Extensão e Pesquisa em Ecologia e Evolução (NEPEE) Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais Ituiutaba Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
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11
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Castilho LB, Andrade MCB, Macedo RH. Males mate indiscriminately in the tropical jumping spider
Hasarius adansoni
(Audouin, 1826). Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maydianne C. B. Andrade
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC) Toronto Canada
| | - Regina H. Macedo
- Department of Zoology Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Brasília‐DF Brazil
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12
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Tuni C, Schneider J, Uhl G, Herberstein ME. Sperm competition when transfer is dangerous. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20200073. [PMID: 33070729 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggressive and cannibalistic female spiders can impose strong selection on male mating and fertilization strategies. Furthermore, the distinctive reproductive morphology of spiders is predicted to influence the outcome of sperm competition. Polyandry is common in spiders, leading to defensive male strategies that include guarding, plugging and self-sacrifice. Paternity patterns are highly variable and unlikely to be determined solely by mating order, but rather by relative copulation duration, deployment of plugs and cryptic female choice. The ability to strategically allocate sperm is limited, either by the need to refill pedipalps periodically or owing to permanent sperm depletion after mating. Further insights now rely on unravelling several proximate mechanisms such as the process of sperm activation and the role of seminal fluids. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of sperm competition'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Tuni
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Jutta Schneider
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg 20146 Germany
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- General and Systematic Zoology, University of Greifswald, Bachstrasse 11/13, Greifswald 17489, Germany
| | - Marie E Herberstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia
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13
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Cargnelutti F, Calbacho-Rosa L, Uñates D, Costa-Schmidt LE, Córdoba-Aguilar A, Peretti AV. Copulatory behaviour increases sperm viability in female spiders. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
One remarkable reproductive feature in animals with internal fertilization is a reduction in sperm viability over time in females. Whether this reduction is driven by male–male competition and/or cryptic female choice is unclear. From the perspective of cryptic female choice, we postulated that sperm viability is affected by a particular male copulatory behaviour. In this study, we investigated the following aspects: (1) sperm viability in mated females vs. males; (2) whether sperm viability varies temporally after mating; and (3) whether male copulatory behaviour covaries positively with sperm viability within females. We used the spider Holocnemus pluchei, whose males use several copulatory behaviours to court females. We found that females that stored sperm for 4 or 15 days showed no difference in sperm viability but had lower sperm viability compared with males, and males that performed a longer post-insemination behaviour had higher sperm viability inside the female. It is unclear how sperm viability is reduced and how male post-insemination behaviour affects this. It is possible that extending copulation allows males to induce females to keep sperm alive for longer. This result is predicted by theory whereby males induce females to facilitate sperm to reach and fertilize eggs based on male postcopulatory behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Cargnelutti
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lucia Calbacho-Rosa
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Diego Uñates
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Luiz Ernesto Costa-Schmidt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
- Departamento de Ecologia, Zoologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Vicente Peretti
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
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14
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Pitnick S, Wolfner MF, Dorus S. Post-ejaculatory modifications to sperm (PEMS). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:365-392. [PMID: 31737992 PMCID: PMC7643048 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm must spend a minimum period of time within a female reproductive tract to achieve the capacity to fertilize oocytes. This phenomenon, termed sperm 'capacitation', was discovered nearly seven decades ago and opened a window into the complexities of sperm-female interaction. Capacitation is most commonly used to refer to a specific combination of processes that are believed to be widespread in mammals and includes modifications to the sperm plasma membrane, elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels, induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, hyperactivation of motility, and, eventually, the acrosome reaction. Capacitation is only one example of post-ejaculatory modifications to sperm (PEMS) that are widespread throughout the animal kingdom. Although PEMS are less well studied in non-mammalian taxa, they likely represent the rule rather than the exception in species with internal fertilization. These PEMS are diverse in form and collectively represent the outcome of selection fashioning complex maturational trajectories of sperm that include multiple, sequential phenotypes that are specialized for stage-specific functionality within the female. In many cases, PEMS are critical for sperm to migrate successfully through the female reproductive tract, survive a protracted period of storage, reach the site of fertilization and/or achieve the capacity to fertilize eggs. We predict that PEMS will exhibit widespread phenotypic plasticity mediated by sperm-female interactions. The successful execution of PEMS thus has important implications for variation in fitness and the operation of post-copulatory sexual selection. Furthermore, it may provide a widespread mechanism of reproductive isolation and the maintenance of species boundaries. Despite their possible ubiquity and importance, the investigation of PEMS has been largely descriptive, lacking any phylogenetic consideration with regard to divergence, and there have been no theoretical or empirical investigations of their evolutionary significance. Here, we (i) clarify PEMS-related nomenclature; (ii) address the evolutionary origin, maintenance and divergence in PEMS in the context of the protracted life history of sperm and the complex, selective environment of the female reproductive tract; (iii) describe taxonomically widespread types of PEMS: sperm activation, chemotaxis and the dissociation of sperm conjugates; (iv) review the occurence of PEMS throughout the animal kingdom; (v) consider alternative hypotheses for the adaptive value of PEMS; (vi) speculate on the evolutionary implications of PEMS for genomic architecture, sexual selection, and reproductive isolation; and (vii) suggest fruitful directions for future functional and evolutionary analyses of PEMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Pitnick
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syacuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Mariana F. Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Steve Dorus
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syacuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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15
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Cordellier M, Schneider JM, Uhl G, Posnien N. Sex differences in spiders: from phenotype to genomics. Dev Genes Evol 2020; 230:155-172. [PMID: 32052129 PMCID: PMC7127994 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-020-00657-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is pervasive in animals and has led to the evolution of sexual dimorphism. In most animals, males and females show marked differences in primary and secondary sexual traits. The formation of sex-specific organs and eventually sex-specific behaviors is defined during the development of an organism. Sex determination processes have been extensively studied in a few well-established model organisms. While some key molecular regulators are conserved across animals, the initiation of sex determination is highly diverse. To reveal the mechanisms underlying the development of sexual dimorphism and to identify the evolutionary forces driving the evolution of different sexes, sex determination mechanisms must thus be studied in detail in many different animal species beyond the typical model systems. In this perspective article, we argue that spiders represent an excellent group of animals in which to study sex determination mechanisms. We show that spiders are sexually dimorphic in various morphological, behavioral, and life history traits. The availability of an increasing number of genomic and transcriptomic resources and functional tools provides a great starting point to scrutinize the extensive sexual dimorphism present in spiders on a mechanistic level. We provide an overview of the current knowledge of sex determination in spiders and propose approaches to reveal the molecular and genetic underpinnings of sexual dimorphism in these exciting animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Cordellier
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jutta M Schneider
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Research Group General and Systematic Zoology, Universität Greifswald, Loitzer Straße 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Nico Posnien
- Department of Developmental Biology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
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16
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Vanthournout B, Busck MM, Bechsgaard J, Hendrickx F, Schramm A, Bilde T. Male spiders control offspring sex ratio through greater production of female-determining sperm. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2887. [PMID: 29563266 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex allocation theory predicts that when sons and daughters have different reproductive values, parents should adjust offspring sex ratio towards the sex with the higher fitness return. Haplo-diploid species directly control offspring sex ratio, but species with chromosomal sex determination (CSD) were presumed to be constrained by Mendelian segregation. There is now increasing evidence that CSD species can adjust sex ratio strategically, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. One hypothesis states that adaptive control is more likely to evolve in the heterogametic sex through a bias in gamete production. We investigated this hypothesis in males as the heterogametic sex in two social spider species that consistently show adaptive female-biased sex ratio and in one subsocial species that is characterized by equal sex ratio. We quantified the production of male (0) and female (X) determining sperm cells using flow cytometry, and show that males of social species produce significantly more X-carrying sperm than 0-sperm, on average 70%. This is consistent with the production of more daughters. Males of the subsocial species produced a significantly lower bias of 54% X-carrying sperm. We also investigated whether inter-genomic conflict between hosts and their endosymbionts may explain female bias. Next generation sequencing showed that five common genera of bacterial endosymbionts known to affect sex ratio are largely absent, ruling out that endosymbiont bacteria bias sex ratio in social spiders. Our study provides evidence for paternal control over sex allocation through biased gamete production as a mechanism by which the heterogametic sex in CSD species adaptively adjust offspring sex ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Vanthournout
- Department of Bioscience, Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.,Biology Department, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Mette Marie Busck
- Department of Bioscience, Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jesper Bechsgaard
- Department of Bioscience, Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Frederik Hendrickx
- Biology Department, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium.,Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Department of Bioscience, Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Trine Bilde
- Department of Bioscience, Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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17
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Andrade MC. Sexual selection and social context: Web-building spiders as emerging models for adaptive plasticity. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Firman RC. Postmating sexual conflict and female control over fertilization during gamete interaction. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renée C. Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology University of Western Australia Western Australia Australia
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19
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Boulton RA, Cook N, Green J, (Ginny) Greenway EV, Shuker DM. Sperm blocking is not a male adaptation to sperm competition in a parasitoid wasp. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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20
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O'Hanlon JC, Wignall AE, Herberstein ME. Short and fast vs long and slow: age changes courtship in male orb-web spiders (Argiope keyserlingi). Naturwissenschaften 2017; 105:3. [PMID: 29209865 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-017-1527-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Male reproductive performance can vary with condition, age and future reproductive opportunities. Web-building spiders are ideal models to examine the effects of senescence on fitness-related behaviours due to strong selection on male courtship to reduce pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism. Argiope keyserlingi spiders generate courtship vibrations, or 'shudders', that reduce female aggression. We found that male A. keyserlingi courtship slowed with chronological age. Older males took longer to travel across the courtship thread, and overall number of shudders increased. Males retained some ability to modulate courtship quality (shudder duration and number of rocks within each shudder) in response to female quality. A change in courtship performance over time, despite strong selection for repeatability, indicates that ageing in male A. keyserlingi may have direct impacts on reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C O'Hanlon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia. .,Centre of Excellence for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
| | - Anne E Wignall
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand
| | - Marie E Herberstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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21
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Mammola S, Michalik P, Hebets EA, Isaia M. Record breaking achievements by spiders and the scientists who study them. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3972. [PMID: 29104823 PMCID: PMC5668680 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Organismal biology has been steadily losing fashion in both formal education and scientific research. Simultaneous with this is an observable decrease in the connection between humans, their environment, and the organisms with which they share the planet. Nonetheless, we propose that organismal biology can facilitate scientific observation, discovery, research, and engagement, especially when the organisms of focus are ubiquitous and charismatic animals such as spiders. Despite being often feared, spiders are mysterious and intriguing, offering a useful foundation for the effective teaching and learning of scientific concepts and processes. In order to provide an entryway for teachers and students-as well as scientists themselves-into the biology of spiders, we compiled a list of 99 record breaking achievements by spiders (the "Spider World Records"). We chose a world-record style format, as this is known to be an effective way to intrigue readers of all ages. We highlighted, for example, the largest and smallest spiders, the largest prey eaten, the fastest runners, the highest fliers, the species with the longest sperm, the most venomous species, and many more. We hope that our compilation will inspire science educators to embrace the biology of spiders as a resource that engages students in science learning. By making these achievements accessible to non-arachnologists and arachnologists alike, we suggest that they could be used: (i) by educators to draw in students for science education, (ii) to highlight gaps in current organismal knowledge, and (iii) to suggest novel avenues for future research efforts. Our contribution is not meant to be comprehensive, but aims to raise public awareness on spiders, while also providing an initial database of their record breaking achievements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- IUCN SSC Spider and Scorpion Specialist Group, Torino, Italy
| | - Peter Michalik
- Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Eileen A. Hebets
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- IUCN SSC Spider and Scorpion Specialist Group, Torino, Italy
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22
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Hernández L, Aisenberg A, Molina J. Mating plugs and sexual cannibalism in the Colombian orb-web spiderLeucauge mariana. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical - CIMPAT; Bogotá Universidad de los Andes; Bogotá Colombia
| | - Anita Aisenberg
- Laboratorio de Etología, Ecología y Evolución; Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Jorge Molina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical - CIMPAT; Bogotá Universidad de los Andes; Bogotá Colombia
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23
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Postmating Female Control: 20 Years of Cryptic Female Choice. Trends Ecol Evol 2017; 32:368-382. [PMID: 28318651 PMCID: PMC5511330 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptic female choice (CFC) represents postmating intersexual selection arising from female-driven mechanisms at or after mating that bias sperm use and impact male paternity share. Although biologists began to study CFC relatively late, largely spurred by Eberhard's book published 20 years ago, the field has grown rapidly since then. Here, we review empirical progress to show that numerous female processes offer potential for CFC, from mating through to fertilization, although seldom has CFC been clearly demonstrated. We then evaluate functional implications, and argue that, under some conditions, CFC might have repercussions for female fitness, sexual conflict, and intersexual coevolution, with ramifications for related evolutionary phenomena, such as speciation. We conclude by identifying directions for future research in this rapidly growing field.
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24
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25
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Herberstein ME, Painting CJ, Holwell GI. Scramble Competition Polygyny in Terrestrial Arthropods. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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26
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Chelini MC, Hebets EA. Polyandry in the absence of fitness benefits in a species with female-biased sexual size dimorphism. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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27
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Lipke E, Michalik P. Evolutionary Morphology of the Primary Male Reproductive System and Spermatozoa of Goblin Spiders (Oonopidae; Araneae). BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2015. [DOI: 10.1206/906.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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28
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Furness AI, Morrison KR, Orr TJ, Arendt JD, Reznick DN. Reproductive mode and the shifting arenas of evolutionary conflict. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1360:75-100. [PMID: 26284738 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In sexually reproducing organisms, the genetic interests of individuals are not perfectly aligned. Conflicts among family members are prevalent since interactions involve the transfer of limited resources between interdependent players. Intrafamilial conflict has traditionally been considered along three major axes: between the sexes, between parents and offspring, and between siblings. In these interactions, conflict is expected over traits in which the resulting phenotypic value is determined by multiple family members who have only partially overlapping fitness optima. We focus on four major categories of animal reproductive mode (broadcast spawning, egg laying, live bearing, and live bearing with matrotrophy) and identify the shared phenotypes or traits over which conflict is expected, and then review the empirical literature for evidence of their occurrence. Major transitions among reproductive mode, such as a shift from external to internal fertilization, an increase in egg-retention time, modifications of embryos and mothers for nutrient transfer, the evolution of postnatal parental care, and increased interaction with the kin network, mark key shifts that both change and expand the arenas in which conflict is played out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew I Furness
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Keenan R Morrison
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Teri J Orr
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California.,Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Jeff D Arendt
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - David N Reznick
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California
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29
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Mestre L, Rodríguez-Teijeiro JD, Tuni C. Females of the Cellar Spider Discriminate Against Previous Mates. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laia Mestre
- Department of Animal Biology; University of Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | | | - Cristina Tuni
- Department Biology II; Ludwig Maximilians University Munich; Planegg-Martinsried Germany
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30
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Kunz K, Witthuhn M, Uhl G. Paired and complex copulatory organs: do they really impede flexible use? J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Kunz
- Zoological Institute and Museum Department of General and Systematic Zoology University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - M. Witthuhn
- Zoological Institute and Museum Department of General and Systematic Zoology University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - G. Uhl
- Zoological Institute and Museum Department of General and Systematic Zoology University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
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31
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Hendrickx F, Vanthournout B, Taborsky M. Selection for costly sexual traits results in a vacant mating niche and male dimorphism. Evolution 2015; 69:2105-17. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.12720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Hendrickx
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; Vautierstraat 29 1000 Brussel Belgium
- Biology Department; Ghent University; K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Gent Belgium
| | - Bram Vanthournout
- Department of Bioscience; Aarhus University; Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus-C 8000 Denmark
| | - Michael Taborsky
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Wohlenstrasse 50 CH-3032 Hinterkappelen Switzerland
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32
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Albo MJ, Peretti AV. Worthless and Nutritive Nuptial Gifts: Mating Duration, Sperm Stored and Potential Female Decisions in Spiders. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129453. [PMID: 26107397 PMCID: PMC4480359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In nuptial gift-giving species females sometimes select their potential mates based on the presence and size of the gift. But in some species, such as the Neotropical polyandrous spider Paratrechalea ornate male gifts vary in quality, from nutritive to worthless, and this male strategy can be in conflict with female nutritional benefits. In this species, males without gifts experience a reduction in mating success and duration, while males that offer worthless or genuine nutritive gifts mate with similar frequencies and durations. The female apparently controls the duration of copulation. Thus, there is scope for females to favour males offering gifts and further if these are nutritious, via post-copulatory processes. We first tested whether females differentially store sperm from males that offer the highest nutritional benefits by experimentally presenting females with males that offer either nutritive or worthless gifts (uninterrupted matings). Second, we carried out another set of experiments to examine whether females can select sperm based only on gift presence. This time we interrupted matings after the first pedipalp insertion, thus matching number of insertions and mating duration for males that: offered and did not offer gift. Our results showed that the amount of sperm stored is positive related to mating duration in all groups, except in matings with worthless gifts. Gift presence itself did not affect the sperm stored by females, while they store similar number of sperm in matings with males offering either nutritive or worthless gifts. We discuss whether females prefer males with gifts regardless, if content, because it represents an attractive and/or reliable signal. Or alternatively, they prefer nutritive nuptial gifts, as they are an important source of food supply and/or signal of male donor ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Albo
- Laboratorio de Etología, Ecología y Evolución, IIBCE, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail:
| | - Alfredo V. Peretti
- Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal, CONICET-, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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33
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Orr TJ, Brennan PLR. Sperm storage: distinguishing selective processes and evaluating criteria. Trends Ecol Evol 2015; 30:261-72. [PMID: 25843274 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Sperm storage, the extended maintenance of viable sperm, probably occurs in most internally fertilizing animals. Because it temporally separates mating from conception, sperm storage can be adaptive in ecologically diverse habitats and affect life histories, mating systems, cryptic female choice, sperm competition, and sexual conflict. Sperm storage can result from different selective forces acting on females and/or males, sometimes resulting in coevolution. The various criteria often used to determine the presence of sperm storage in any given taxon can result from the action of any one or all of these selective forces. Here we discuss the criteria used to study sperm storage and how we can use these to better understand the evolution of diversity in sperm-storage adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teri J Orr
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Patricia L R Brennan
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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34
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Vanthournout B, Deswarte K, Hammad H, Bilde T, Lambrecht B, Hendrickx F. Flow cytometric sexing of spider sperm reveals an equal sperm production ratio in a female-biased species. Biol Lett 2014; 10:20140159. [PMID: 24850893 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2014.0159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Producing equal amounts of male and female offspring has long been considered an evolutionarily stable strategy. Nevertheless, exceptions to this general rule (i.e. male and female biases) are documented in many taxa, making sex allocation an important domain in current evolutionary biology research. Pinpointing the underlying mechanism of sex ratio bias is challenging owing to the multitude of potential sex ratio-biasing factors. In the dwarf spider, Oedothorax gibbosus, infection with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia results in a female bias. However, pedigree analysis reveals that other factors influence sex ratio variation. In this paper, we investigate whether this additional variation can be explained by the unequal production of male- and female-determining sperm cells during sperm production. Using flow cytometry, we show that males produce equal amounts of male- and female-determining sperm cells; thus bias in sperm production does not contribute to the sex ratio bias observed in this species. This demonstrates that other factors such as parental genes suppressing endosymbiont effects and cryptic female choice might play a role in sex allocation in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Vanthournout
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - K Deswarte
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent 9050, Belgium
| | - H Hammad
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent 9050, Belgium
| | - T Bilde
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - B Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent 9050, Belgium
| | - F Hendrickx
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
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35
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Dangerous mating systems: Signal complexity, signal content and neural capacity in spiders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 46 Pt 4:509-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Archibald KE, Minter LJ, Lewbart GA, Bailey CS. Collection and characterization of semen from Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea). Am J Vet Res 2014; 75:929-36. [PMID: 25255184 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.75.10.929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a nonterminal semen collection method for use in captive Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea) and to evaluate tools for investigating morphology and viability of spermatozoa. ANIMALS 7 mature male Chilean rose tarantulas. PROCEDURES Each tarantula was anesthetized in a 500-mL induction chamber containing a cotton ball infused with 2 mL of isoflurane. Semen collection was performed by applying direct pressure to the palpal bulbs (sperm storage organs) located on the distal segment of the palpal limbs. Morphology of spermatozoa was examined by light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Propidium iodide and a fluorescent membrane-permeant nucleic acid dye were used to evaluate cell viability. RESULTS Semen was collected successfully from all 7 tarantulas. Microscopic examination of semen samples revealed coenospermia (spherical capsules [mean ± SD diameter, 10.3 ± 1.6 μm] containing many nonmotile sperm cells [mean number of sperm cells/capsule, 18.5 ± 3.8]). Individual spermatozoa were characterized by a spiral-shaped cell body (mean length, 16.7 ± 1.4 μm; mean anterior diameter, 1.5 ± 0.14 μm). Each spermatozoon had no apparent flagellar structure. The fluorescent stains identified some viable sperm cells in the semen samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The described technique allowed simple and repeatable collection of semen from Chilean rose tarantulas. Semen from this species was characterized by numerous spherical capsules containing many nonmotile spermatozoa in an apparently quiescent state. Fluorescent staining to distinguish live from dead spermatozoa appeared to be a useful tool for semen evaluation in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Archibald
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607
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Uhl G, Kunz K, Vöcking O, Lipke E. A spider mating plug: origin and constraints of production. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Uhl
- Zoological Institute and Museum; Department of General and Systematic Zoology; University of Greifswald; J.-S. Bachstrasse 11/12 D-17489 Greifswald Germany
| | - Katrin Kunz
- Zoological Institute and Museum; Department of General and Systematic Zoology; University of Greifswald; J.-S. Bachstrasse 11/12 D-17489 Greifswald Germany
| | - Oliver Vöcking
- Zoological Institute and Museum; Department of General and Systematic Zoology; University of Greifswald; J.-S. Bachstrasse 11/12 D-17489 Greifswald Germany
| | - Elisabeth Lipke
- Zoological Institute and Museum; Department of General and Systematic Zoology; University of Greifswald; J.-S. Bachstrasse 11/12 D-17489 Greifswald Germany
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Michalik P, Ramírez MJ. Evolutionary morphology of the male reproductive system, spermatozoa and seminal fluid of spiders (Araneae, Arachnida)--current knowledge and future directions. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2014; 43:291-322. [PMID: 24907603 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The male reproductive system and spermatozoa of spiders are known for their high structural diversity. Spider spermatozoa are flagellate and males transfer them to females in a coiled and encapsulated state using their modified pedipalps. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the present state of knowledge of the primary male reproductive system, sperm morphology and the structural diversity of seminal fluids with a focus on functional and evolutionary implications. Secondly, we conceptualized characters for the male genital system, spermiogenesis and spermatozoa for the first time based on published and new data. In total, we scored 40 characters for 129 species from 56 families representing all main spider clades. We obtained synapomorphies for several taxa including Opisthothelae, Araneomorphae, Dysderoidea, Scytodoidea, Telemidae, Linyphioidea, Mimetidae, Synotaxidae and the Divided Cribellum Clade. Furthermore, we recovered synspermia as a synapomorphy for ecribellate Haplogynae and thus propose Synspermiata as new name for this clade. We hope that these data will not only contribute to future phylogenetic studies but will also stimulate much needed evolutionary studies of reproductive systems in spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Michalik
- Allgemeine und Systematische Zoologie, Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, J.-S.-Bach-Straße 11/12, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Martín J Ramírez
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" - CONICET, Av. Angel Gallardo 470, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lipke E, Ramírez MJ, Michalik P. Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of orsolobidae (Haplogynae, Araneae) with implications on the evolution of sperm transfer forms in Dysderoidea. J Morphol 2014; 275:1238-57. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Lipke
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswald, J.-S.-Bach-Straße 11/12, Greifswald, D-17489, Germany
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Wignall AE, Kemp DJ, Herberstein ME. Extreme short-term repeatability of male courtship performance in a tropical orb-web spider. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Vrech DE, Olivero PA, Mattoni CI, Peretti AV. Testes mass, but not sperm length, increases with higher levels of polyandry in an ancient sex model. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94135. [PMID: 24736525 PMCID: PMC3988103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong evidence that polyandrous taxa have evolved relatively larger testes than monogamous relatives. Sperm size may either increase or decrease across species with the risk or intensity of sperm competition. Scorpions represent an ancient direct mode with spermatophore-mediated sperm transfer and are particularly well suited for studies in sperm competition. This work aims to analyze for the first time the variables affecting testes mass, ejaculate volume and sperm length, according with their levels of polyandry, in species belonging to the Neotropical family Bothriuridae. Variables influencing testes mass and sperm length were obtained by model selection analysis using corrected Akaike Information Criterion. Testes mass varied greatly among the seven species analyzed, ranging from 1.6 ± 1.1 mg in Timogenes dorbignyi to 16.3 ± 4.5 mg in Brachistosternus pentheri with an average of 8.4 ± 5.0 mg in all the species. The relationship between testes mass and body mass was not significant. Body allocation in testes mass, taken as Gonadosomatic Index, was high in Bothriurus cordubensis and Brachistosternus ferrugineus and low in Timogenes species. The best-fitting model for testes mass considered only polyandry as predictor with a positive influence. Model selection showed that body mass influenced sperm length negatively but after correcting for body mass, none of the variables analyzed explained sperm length. Both body mass and testes mass influenced spermatophore volume positively. There was a strong phylogenetic effect on the model containing testes mass. As predicted by the sperm competition theory and according to what happens in other arthropods, testes mass increased in species with higher levels of sperm competition, and influenced positively spermatophore volume, but data was not conclusive for sperm length.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Vrech
- Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology (IDEA), Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Evolution, CONICET - The National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Paola A. Olivero
- Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology (IDEA), Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Evolution, CONICET - The National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Camilo I. Mattoni
- Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology (IDEA), Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Evolution, CONICET - The National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Alfredo V. Peretti
- Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology (IDEA), Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Evolution, CONICET - The National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
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Zimmer SM, Schneider JM, Herberstein ME. Can males detect the strength of sperm competition and presence of genital plugs during mate choice? Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Modanu M, Michalik P, Andrade MCB. Mating system does not predict permanent sperm depletion in black widow spiders. Evol Dev 2013; 15:205-12. [PMID: 23607304 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Variation in sperm production is strongly influenced by mating system across taxa. Recent work in spiders suggests that males of some species show termination of spermatogenesis before their adult molt and thus an inability to produce sperm after maturation. This permanent sperm depletion (PSD) has been hypothesized to co-occur with monogyny, genital mutilation, or sexual cannibalism because the maintenance of continual sperm supplies is not necessary for species where males can expect only one mating opportunity. Here we test this hypothesis in two congeners exhibiting genital mutilation: the sexually cannibalistic, monogynous Australian redback spider Latrodectus hasselti and the polygynous Western black widow Latrodectus hesperus. We report that PSD does not occur in adult males of either species, and show that males transfer sperm into their copulatory organs multiple times as adults. These data suggest evolutionary links between mating system and investment in sperm production may be more complex than currently appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Modanu
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Zuk M, Garcia-Gonzalez F, Herberstein ME, Simmons LW. Model systems, taxonomic bias, and sexual selection: beyond Drosophila. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2013; 59:321-338. [PMID: 24160422 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011613-162014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Although model systems are useful in entomology, allowing generalizations based on a few well-known species, they also have drawbacks. It can be difficult to know how far to generalize from information in a few species: Are all flies like Drosophila? The use of model systems is particularly problematic in studying sexual selection, where variability among taxa is key to the evolution of different behaviors. A bias toward the use of a few insect species, particularly from the genus Drosophila, is evident in the sexual selection and sexual conflict literature over the past several decades, although the diversity of study organisms has increased more recently. As the number of model systems used to study sexual conflict increased, support for the idea that sexual interactions resulted in harm to females decreased. Future work should choose model systems thoughtfully, combining well-known species with those that can add to the variation that allows us to make more meaningful generalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Zuk
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108;
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Vöcking O, Uhl G, Michalik P. Sperm dynamics in spiders (Araneae): ultrastructural analysis of the sperm activation process in the garden spider Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772). PLoS One 2013; 8:e72660. [PMID: 24039790 PMCID: PMC3765205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Storage of sperm inside the female genital tract is an integral phase of reproduction in many animal species. The sperm storage site constitutes the arena for sperm activation, sperm competition and female sperm choice. Consequently, to understand animal mating systems information on the processes that occur from sperm transfer to fertilization is required. Here, we focus on sperm activation in spiders. Male spiders produce sperm whose cell components are coiled within the sperm cell and that are surrounded by a proteinaceous sheath. These inactive and encapsulated sperm are transferred to the female spermathecae where they are stored for later fertilization. We analyzed the ultrastructural changes of sperm cells during residency time in the female genital system of the orb-web spider Argiope bruennichi. We found three clearly distinguishable sperm conditions: encapsulated sperm (secretion sheath present), decapsulated (secretion sheath absent) and uncoiled sperm (cell components uncoiled, presumably activated). After insemination, sperm remain in the encapsulated condition for several days and become decapsulated after variable periods of time. A variable portion of the decapsulated sperm transforms rapidly to the uncoiled condition resulting in a simultaneous occurrence of decapsulated and uncoiled sperm. After oviposition, only decapsulated and uncoiled sperm are left in the spermathecae, strongly suggesting that the activation process is not reversible. Furthermore, we found four different types of secretion in the spermathecae which might play a role in the decapsulation and activation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Vöcking
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Department of General and Systematic Zoology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Department of General and Systematic Zoology, Greifswald, Germany
- * E-mail: (GU); (PM)
| | - Peter Michalik
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Department of General and Systematic Zoology, Greifswald, Germany
- * E-mail: (GU); (PM)
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Kralj-Fišer S, Schneider JM, Kuntner M. Challenging the Aggressive Spillover Hypothesis: Is Pre-Copulatory Sexual Cannibalism a Part of a Behavioural Syndrome? Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Kralj-Fišer
- Institute of Biology; Scientific Research Centre; Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Ljubljana; Slovenia
| | - Jutta M. Schneider
- Zoological Institute & Museum; Biozentrum Grindel; University of Hamburg; Hamburg; Germany
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Wignall AE, Herberstein ME. The influence of vibratory courtship on female mating behaviour in orb-web spiders (Argiope keyserlingi, Karsch 1878). PLoS One 2013; 8:e53057. [PMID: 23341922 PMCID: PMC3547032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Web-building spiders are important models for sexual selection. While our understanding of post-copulatory mechanisms including sperm competition and cryptic female choice is considerable, our knowledge of courtship and how it influences male and female mating decisions is still extremely poor. Here, we provide the first comprehensive description of male courtship behaviour and vibrations generated in the web by the orb-web spider, Argiope keyserlingi – a recognised model species. We identified three main elements of male courtship: shudders, abdominal wags and mating thread dances (including both plucks and bounces). The vibrations generated by these behaviours are described in detail. Male shuddering behaviour appears to have a strong influence on female latency to mate acceptance, with males that shudder at high rates without compromising shudder duration being preferred. Shuddering behaviour may also mediate female aggressive behaviour, with males that generate long shudders less likely to be cannibalised after copulation. Male abdominal wagging behaviour, however, appears to have only limited influence on female mating decisions. This study provides avenues for future work that synthesises pre- and post-copulatory mechanisms in web-building spiders to generate an all-encompassing model of how sexual selection operates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Wignall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
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48
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Herberstein M, Wignall A, Nessler S, Harmer A, Schneider J. How effective and persistent are fragmentsof male genitalia as mating plugs? Behav Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ars088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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49
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