Mate-guarding courtship behaviour: tactics in a changing world

摘要: Mate guarding is one of the most common tactics in sperm competition. Males are expected to guard their mates when costs (accrued from physical confrontations with rivals and/or reduced foraging) low relative benefits ensuring mating opportunities and paternity. We investigated mate jumping spider Phidippus clarus, a species where males defend immature subadult females against rival attempt soon after they mature. assessed possible social cost mate-guarding behaviour (male intersexual signalling) using laser vibrometry respirometry. found that produced unique set signals these were energetically costly (guarding courtship). Mating success did not differ between successfully defended female located an unmated, mature virgin female. This suggests courtship does directly influence choice may use different depending on availability ensure fitness. To explore further effect courtship, we experimentally sealed male's copulatory organs (males could normally but unable transfer sperm) compared rates versus intact males. behaviour, transfer, significantly influenced remating behaviour. Placed context P. clarus life history, our results highlight ongoing sexual conflict hidden