Functional morphology of immature mating in a widow spider.

摘要: BACKGROUND Mating generally occurs after individuals reach adulthood. In many arthropods including spiders, the adult stage is marked by a final moult which genitalia are fully developed and functional. several widow spider species (genus Latrodectus), however, immature females may mate few days before they to adulthood, i.e. in their late-subadult stage. While "adult" mating typically results cannibalism, males survive "immature" mating. During both matings, leave parts of paired copulatory organs within female genitalia, act as plugs. To study potential costs benefits two tactics, we investigated genital morphology brown spider, L. geometricus. Light microscopy, histology micro-computed tomography early-subadult, were conducted determine overall pattern maturation. We compared mated reveal differences genitalic details that might indicate differential success sperm transfer different environments for storage competition. RESULTS found (spermathecae) ducts already host However, thickness spermathecal cuticle staining secretions inside differ significantly between females. plugs with higher probability spermathecae CONCLUSIONS Sperm matings follows same route The observed likely reflect conditions transferred lead disadvantage under competition if subadult later re-mates another male. since benefit from numerical well monopolizing access organs. assessment re-mating relative paternity will clarify tactics light these findings.