Biting and binding: an exclusive coercive mating strategy of males in a philodromid spider

摘要: Males typically court females extensively to convince them mate. In some species, however, males coerce We studied mating behaviour in the spider Thanatus fabricii and focused on behavioural venomic adaptations. found that always bit bound before during mating. The bitten quickly fell into a state of immobility, which copulated with them. duration male bites increased increasing size female. contrast, were shorter if female was missing legs. Additionally, relatively longer legs induced states immobility females. Binding by silk prolonged immobilization, allowing perform more insertions. After copulation, less successful catching their prey (ants), suggesting this strategy negatively affects fitness. Altogether, evidence shows T. fabricii is coercive. had larger venom glands than both conspecific closely related Philodromus composition venom, did not differ between sexes. Male appear be adapted coercive rather foraging, as they caught fewer species. suggest may enabled adaptation males.