Infanticide by males in a spider with suicidal maternal care, Stegodyphus lineatus (Eresidae)

摘要: Infanticide by males in species with high maternal investment may be the most extreme example of a reproductive conflict interests between and females. The subsocial spider Stegodyphus lineatus is semelparous, offspring eat their mother. Male female maturation overlap, such that late maturing encounter females are already guarding single clutch. A male try to remove existing egg sac, thereby forcing replace clutch use his sperm fertilize at least some eggs. Males were responsible for 33% all losses population 278 By losing her clutch, loses time equivalent age lost plus it takes it. earlier season younger eggs were, longer was interval loss replacement. Females sacs infanticide replaced them after significantly than from other causes. 18.5 days on average corresponds 23% reduction survival probability. In addition reduced survival, suffered fecundity cost: replacement clutches smaller original number greater increasing intervals first second defended aggressively against males. field tests, outcome fights determined relative size difference contestants. mating system S. provides an strategy evolved despite being very costly