1
|
Jiang H, Zhan Y, Wu Q, Zhang H, Kuntner M, Tu L. A spider mating plug functions to protect sperm. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301290. [PMID: 38551985 PMCID: PMC10980215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Mating plugs in animals are ubiquitous and are commonly interpreted to be products of mating strategies. In spiders, however, mating plugs may also take on functions beyond female remating prevention. Due to the vagaries of female genital (spermathecal) anatomy, most spiders face the problem of having to secure additional, non-anatomical, protection for transferred sperm. Here, we test the hypothesis that mating plugs, rather than (or in addition to) being adaptations for mating strategies, may serve as sperm protection mechanism. Based on a comparative study on 411 epigyna sampled from 36 families, 187 genera, 330 species of entelegyne spiders, our results confirm the necessity of a sperm protection mechanism. We divided the entelegyne spermathecae into four types: SEG, SED, SCG and SCD. We also studied detailed morphology of epigynal tracts in the spider Diphya wulingensis having the SEG type spermathecae, using 3D-reconstruction based on semi thin histological series section. In this species, we hypothesize that two distinct types of mating plug, the sperm plug and the secretion plug, serve different functions. Morphological details support this: sperm plugs are formed on a modified spermathecal wall by the spilled sperm, and function as a temporary protection mechanism to prevent sperm from leaking and desiccating, while secretion plugs function in postcopulation both as a permanent protection mechanism, and to prevent additional mating. Furthermore, with the modified spermathecal wall of S2 stalk, the problem of shunt of sperm input and output, and the possibility of female multiple mating have been resolved. Variation in spermathecal morphology also suggests that the problem of sperm protection might be resolved in different ways in spiders. Considering mating plugs of varying shapes and origins in the vast morphospace of spiders, we conclude that mating plugs might serve different purposes that relate both to mating strategies, as well as to sperm protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongjia Zhan
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Lang Yue Campus of Beijing 12th High School, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Huitao Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Imaging Technology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Matjaž Kuntner
- Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Lihong Tu
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yamatoya K, Kurosawa M, Hirose M, Miura Y, Taka H, Nakano T, Hasegawa A, Kagami K, Yoshitake H, Goto K, Ueno T, Fujiwara H, Shinkai Y, Kan FWK, Ogura A, Araki Y. The fluid factor OVGP1 provides a significant oviductal microenvironment for the reproductive process in golden hamster†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:465-475. [PMID: 37995271 PMCID: PMC10941085 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad159] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian oviductal lumen is a specialized chamber that provides an environment that strictly regulates fertilization and early embryogenesis, but the regulatory mechanisms to gametes and zygotes are unclear. We evaluated the oviductal regulation of early embryonic development using Ovgp1 (encoding an oviductal humoral factor, OVGP1)-knockout golden hamsters. The experimental results revealed the following: (1) female Ovgp1-knockout hamsters failed to produce litters; (2) in the oviducts of Ovgp1-knockout animals, fertilized eggs were sometimes identified, but their morphology showed abnormal features; (3) the number of implantations in the Ovgp1-knockout females was low; (4) even if implantations occurred, the embryos developed abnormally and eventually died; and (5) Ovgp1-knockout female ovaries transferred to wild-type females resulted in the production of Ovgp1-knockout egg-derived OVGP1-null litters, but the reverse experiment did not. These results suggest that OVGP1-mediated physiological events are crucial for reproductive process in vivo, from fertilization to early embryonic development. This animal model shows that the fate of the zygote is determined not only genetically, but also by the surrounding oviductal microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yamatoya
- Institute for Environmental & Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaru Kurosawa
- Institute for Environmental & Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Michiko Hirose
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Miura
- Laboratory of Proteomics & Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hikari Taka
- Laboratory of Proteomics & Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Nakano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Akiko Hasegawa
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hyogo Medical University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Kagami
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshitake
- Institute for Environmental & Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kaoru Goto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueno
- Laboratory of Proteomics & Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Fujiwara
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shinkai
- Cellular Memory Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan
| | - Frederick W K Kan
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Araki
- Institute for Environmental & Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wood HM, Wunderlich J. Burma Terrane Amber Fauna Shows Connections to Gondwana and Transported Gondwanan Lineages to the Northern Hemisphere (Araneae: Palpimanoidea). Syst Biol 2023; 72:1233-1246. [PMID: 37527553 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syad047] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Burmese amber is a significant source of fossils that documents the mid-Cretaceous biota. This deposit was formed around 99 Ma on the Burma Terrane, which broke away from Gondwana and later collided with Asia, although the timing is disputed. Palpimanoidea is a dispersal-limited group that was a dominant element of the Mesozoic spider fauna, and has an extensive fossil record, particularly from Burmese amber. Using morphological and molecular data, evolutionary relationships of living and fossil Palpimanoidea are examined. Divergence dating with fossils as terminal tips shows timing of diversification is contemporaneous with continental breakup.Ancestral range estimations show widespread ancestral ranges that divide into lineages that inherit different Pangean fragments, consistent with vicariance. Our results suggest that the Burmese amber fauna has ties to Gondwana due to a historical connection in the Early Cretaceous, and that the Burma Terrane facilitated biotic exchange by transporting lineages from Gondwana into the Holarctic in the Cretaceous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Wood
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 10th & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Jörg Wunderlich
- Oberer Häuselbergweg 24, 69493 Hirschberg an der Bergstraße, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hernandez Duran L, Wilson DT, Rymer TL. Exploring behavioral traits over different contexts in four species of Australian funnel-web spiders. Curr Zool 2023; 69:766-774. [PMID: 37876639 PMCID: PMC10591153 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are arguably the most venomous spiders in the world, with much research focusing on this aspect of their biology. However, other aspects related to their life history, ecology and behaviour have been overlooked. For the first time, we assessed repeatability, namely risk-taking behaviour, aggressiveness and activity in the contexts of predation, conspecific tolerance and exploration of a new territory in four species of Australian funnel-web spiders: two are closely related, Hadronyche valida and H. infensa, and two have overlapping distributions but occupy different habitats, H. cerberea and Atrax robustus. We also compared behaviors between species. At the species level, we found that H. valida showed consistency in risk-taking behavior when exposed to a predator stimulus, aggressiveness against conspecifics, and exploration of a new territory. In contrast, in the other species, only A. robustus showed repeatability in the context of exploration of a new territory. These results suggest that some behavioral traits are likely more flexible than others, and that the repeatability of behaviors may be species-specific in funnel-webs. When we compared species, we found differences in risk-taking behavior and defensiveness. This study provides novel insights to understanding variation in behavioral traits within and between species of funnel-web spiders, suggesting that some behavioral traits are likely context and/or species dependent, as a result of their evolutionary history. These findings provide key insights for understanding the ecological role of behavior and venom deployment in venomous animals, and a greater understanding of behavior in these medically significant and iconic spiders that are of conservation concern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernandez Duran
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Duran LH, Wilson DT, Salih M, Rymer TL. Interactions between physiology and behaviour provide insights into the ecological role of venom in Australian funnel-web spiders: Interspecies comparison. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285866. [PMID: 37216354 PMCID: PMC10202279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are iconic species, characterized as being the most venomous spiders in the world. They are also valued for the therapeutics and natural bioinsecticides potentially hidden in their venom molecules. Although numerous biochemical and molecular structural approaches have tried to determine the factors driving venom complexity, these approaches have not considered behaviour, physiology and environmental conditions collectively, which can play a role in the evolution, complexity, and function of venom components in funnel-webs. This study used a novel interdisciplinary approach to understand the relationships between different behaviours (assessed in different ecological contexts) and morphophysiological variables (body condition, heart rate) that may affect venom composition in four species of Australian funnel-web spiders. We tested defensiveness, huddling behaviour, frequency of climbing, and activity for all species in three ecological contexts: i) predation using both indirect (puff of air) and direct (prodding) stimuli; ii) conspecific tolerance; and iii) exploration of a new territory. We also assessed morphophysiological variables and venom composition of all species. For Hadronyche valida, the expression of some venom components was associated with heart rate and defensiveness during the predation context. However, we did not find any associations between behavioural traits and morphophysiological variables in the other species, suggesting that particular associations may be species-specific. When we assessed differences between species, we found that the species separated out based on the venom profiles, while activity and heart rate are likely more affected by individual responses and microhabitat conditions. This study demonstrates how behavioural and morphophysiological traits are correlated with venom composition and contributes to a broader understanding of the function and evolution of venoms in funnel-web spiders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández Duran
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Mohamed Salih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang S, Yu L, Tan M, Tan NYL, Wong XXB, Kuntner M, Li D. Male mating strategies to counter sexual conflict in spiders. Commun Biol 2022; 5:534. [PMID: 35655093 PMCID: PMC9163124 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
When sexual conflict selects for reproductive strategies that only benefit one of the sexes, evolutionary arms races may ensue. Female sexual cannibalism is an extreme manifestation of sexual conflict. Here we test two male mating strategies aiming at countering sexual cannibalism in spiders. The "better charged palp" hypothesis predicts male selected use of the paired sexual organ (palp) containing more sperm for their first copulation. The "fast sperm transfer" hypothesis predicts accelerated insemination when cannibalism is high. Our comparative tests on five orbweb spider species with varying levels of female sexual cannibalism and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) reveal that males choose the palp with more sperm for the first copulation with cannibalistic females and that males transfer significantly more sperm if females are cannibalistic or when SSD is biased. By supporting the two hypotheses, these results provide credibility for male mating syndrome. They, however, open new questions, namely, how does a male differentiate sperm quantities between his palps? How does he perform palp choice after assessing his cannibalistic partner? By conducting follow-up experiments on Nephilengys malabarensis, we reveal that it is sperm volume detection, rather than left-right palp dominance, that plays prominently in male palp choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shichang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, Hubei, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, Hubei, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Min Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Noeleen Y L Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Xaven X B Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Matjaž Kuntner
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, Hubei, China.
- Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Duran LH, Wilson DT, Lee Rymer T. Behaviour of the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus over different contexts, time, and stimuli. Toxicon X 2022; 13:100093. [PMID: 35146415 PMCID: PMC8816710 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrax robustus is an iconic Australian spider because the venom can be lethal to humans. Moreover, some of the venom biomolecules have promise as therapeutic and bioinsecticidal leads. Nonetheless, aspects related to the life history and behaviour of this species, which might influence changes in venom components, have been overlooked. We assessed different behavioural traits (antipredator behaviour, defensiveness and activity) of juveniles and adult females across different contexts (predation, conspecific tolerance and exploration of a new territory) and stimuli (puff of air versus prod) over time. Adults responded to a puff of air faster than juveniles, but in response to a prod, both juveniles and adults become more defensive over time. No differences were observed between adults and juveniles for conspecific tolerance and exploration. Understanding behaviour of venomous species is important because behaviours may affect physiological traits, such as venom, and the ability of spiders to adapt to different conditions. Study of Sydney funnel-web spiders behaviour in response to different stimuli over time and different contexts. Adults and juveniles show different behavioural responses to an aversive stimulus. Adults show flexibility of aggressive behaviour in response to a threatening stimulus. The type of threatening stimulus affects the way spiders modulate their behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández Duran
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Corresponding author. College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia.
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Corresponding author. College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Guo X, Selden PA, Ren D. New specimens from Mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber illuminate the phylogenetic placement of Lagonomegopidae (Arachnida: Araneae). Zool J Linn Soc 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
New lagonomegopid spiders are described from Mid-Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Two new genera and species based on single specimens, Scopomegops fax gen. & sp. nov. and Hiatomegops spinalis gen. & sp. nov. are described. Two specimens belonging to Lineaburmops beigeli are further described. Additionally, after re-examining the holotype of Odontomegops titan, a detailed description of its basal ventral abdomen is added here. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate the phylogenetic placement of Lagonomegopidae. A matrix of 79 morphological characters, scored for six lagonomegopid taxa and 26 non-lagonomegopid taxa, was analysed through parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Our results recover extant Palpimanoidea as a monophyletic group and partly suggest that Lagonomegopidae is the sister-group to extant Palpimanoidea. The external sexual organs, retrolateral tibial apophysis on the male palp and tracheal spiracle in lagonomegopids are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangbo Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University , Xisanhuanbeilu, Haidian District, Beijing , China
| | - Paul A Selden
- College of Life Sciences and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University , Xisanhuanbeilu, Haidian District, Beijing , China
- Department of Geology, University of Kansas , Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence KS , USA
- Natural History Museum , London , UK
| | - Dong Ren
- College of Life Sciences and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University , Xisanhuanbeilu, Haidian District, Beijing , China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Duran LH, Rymer TL, Wilson DT. Variation in venom composition in the Australian funnel-web spiders Hadronyche valida. Toxicon X 2020; 8:100063. [PMID: 33305257 PMCID: PMC7711288 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mygalomorph venom properties and active components, which have importance in medicine, agronomy, venomics, ecology and evolution, have been widely studied, but only a small fraction have been characterised. Several studies have shown inter-individual variation in the composition of venom peptides based on ontogeny, sexual dimorphism, season and diet. However, intra-individual variation in venom composition, which could play a key role in the evolution, diversification and function of toxins, is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate significant intra- and inter-individual variation in venom composition in the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche valida, highlighting that individuals show different venom profiles over time. Fourteen (four juvenile and ten adult females) funnel-web spiders, maintained under the same environmental conditions and diet, were milked a total of four times, one month apart. We then used reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to generate venom fingerprints containing the retention time and molecular weights of the different toxin components in the venom. Across all individuals, we documented a combined total of 83 individual venom components. Only 20% of these components were shared between individuals. Individuals showed variation in the composition of venom peptides, with some components consistently present over time, while others were only present at specific times. When individuals were grouped using the Jaccard clustering index and Kernel Principal Component Analysis, spiders formed two distinct clusters, most likely due to their origin or time of collection. This study contributes to the understanding of variation in venom composition at different levels (intra-individual, and intra- and inter-specific) and considers some of the mechanisms of selection that may contribute to venom diversification within arachnids. In addition, inter-specific variation in venom composition can be highly useful as a chemotaxonomic marker to identify funnel-web species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández Duran
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kuntner M, Coddington JA. Sexual Size Dimorphism: Evolution and Perils of Extreme Phenotypes in Spiders. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 65:57-80. [PMID: 31573828 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism is one of the most striking animal traits, and among terrestrial animals, it is most extreme in certain spider lineages. The most extreme sexual size dimorphism (eSSD) is female biased. eSSD itself is probably an epiphenomenon of gendered evolutionary drivers whose strengths and directions are diverse. We demonstrate that eSSD spider clades are aberrant by sampling randomly across all spiders to establish overall averages for female (6.9 mm) and male (5.6 mm) size. At least 16 spider eSSD clades exist. We explore why the literature does not converge on an overall explanation for eSSD and propose an equilibrium model featuring clade- and context-specific drivers of gender size variation. eSSD affects other traits such as sexual cannibalism, genital damage, emasculation, and monogyny with terminal investment. Coevolution with these extreme sexual phenotypes is termed eSSD mating syndrome. Finally, as costs of female gigantism increase with size, eSSD may represent an evolutionary dead end.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Kuntner
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560-0105, USA;
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jonathan A Coddington
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560-0105, USA;
| |
Collapse
|