作者: Dolores Schütz , Michael Taborsky
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0310.2011.01965.X
关键词: Demography 、 Sexual cannibalism 、 Sexual selection 、 Mating 、 Sexual swelling 、 Natural selection 、 Biology 、 Sexual dimorphism 、 Mate choice 、 Ecology 、 Context (language use)
摘要: The water spider Argyroneta aquatica is the only spending its whole life under water, and one of few species in which males are larger than females. Previous studies indicated that can cannibalize females, uncommon among spiders. Here we aimed to further test for a potential influence sexual selection on male body size. We examined importance female choice by testing whether females prefer two simultaneously presented as mating partners. Further, male–male competition comparing fighting behaviour between large small when alone or together with female, determined outcome fights. found approach choose partners, despite risk cannibalism. Additionally, intensively compete clearly win against smaller ones. Hence seems be important evolution peculiar size dimorphism spiders, beneficial both intra- intersexual context. have suggested an role natural sex-specific but mechanisms apparently work same direction, favouring