scholarly journals Modest sexual size dimorphism and allometric growth: a study based on growth and gonad development in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Xiaoqiong Chen ◽  
Chi Zeng ◽  
Lelei Wen ◽  
Yao Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Specific Growth ◽  
Gonad Development ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Allometric Growth ◽  
Developmental Duration ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Pardosa Pseudoannulata

ABSTRACT Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a notable phenomenon in terrestrial animals, and it is correlated with unusual morphological traits. To date, the underlying sex-specific growth strategies throughout the ontogenetic stage of spiders are poorly understood. Here, we comprehensively investigated how the growth trajectories and gonad development shaped SSD in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae). We also hypothesized the potential growth allometry among the carapace, abdomen, and gonads of spiders in both sexes. By measuring the size of the carapace and abdomen, investigating developmental duration and growth rate, describing the gonadal sections, and calculating the area of gonads at all instars from hatching to maturity, we demonstrated that SSD results from sex-specific growth strategies. Our results indicated that the growth and developmental differences between both sexes appeared at early life stages, and there was allometric growth in the carapace, abdomen, and gonads between males and females.

Reproductive isolation and sex-role reversal in two sympatric sand-dwelling wolf spiders of the genus Allocosa

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (7) ◽  
pp. 648-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Aisenberg ◽  
F. G. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Sex Role ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Role Reversal ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Wolf Spiders ◽  
Size Dimorphism

Allocosa brasiliensis (Petrunkevitch, 1910) is a nocturnal wolf spider inhabitant of coastal dunes. Pitfall-trap data suggested the occurrence of two sympatric and synchronic morphs, with differences in adult size and abdominal design (minor and major morphs). Previous studies performed with the major morph of A. brasiliensis, postulated courtship-role and sexual size dimorphism reversal for this spider. In the present study, we compare data on development and morphology and test reproductive isolation between morphs of A. brasiliensis, with the hypotheses that the two morphs are reproductively isolated and both show courtship-role reversal. As had been reported for the major morph of A. brasiliensis, the minor-morph females approached the burrows of minor-morph males, entered, initiated courtship, and after copulation, males closed their burrows with female cooperation from the inside. Females did not court or copulate with males belonging to the other morph and, in two cases, major-morph females cannibalised minor-morph males. Morphometrical and developmental data showed differences between morphs. The occurrence of copulation only between individuals of the same morph confirm reproductive isolation, supporting the occurrence of two species. Morphological and behavioural data are consistent with courtship-role-reversal hypotheses for the minor morph, constituting the second report in spiders of this atypical behaviour.

Sexual Size Dimorphism and Allometric Growth of Morelet's Crocodiles in Captivity

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Barrios-Quiroz ◽  
Gustavo Casas-Andreu ◽  
Armando H. Escobedo-Galván
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Allometric Growth ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
In Captivity

scholarly journals Climate change and sexual size dimorphism in an Arctic spider

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toke Thomas Høye ◽  
Jörg U. Hammel ◽  
Thomas Fuchs ◽  
Søren Toft
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Adult Body ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Female Responses

Climate change is advancing the onset of the growing season and this is happening at a particularly fast rate in the High Arctic. However, in most species the relative fitness implications for males and females remain elusive. Here, we present data on 10 successive cohorts of the wolf spider Pardosa glacialis from Zackenberg in High-Arctic, northeast Greenland. We found marked inter-annual variation in adult body size (carapace width) and this variation was greater in females than in males. Earlier snowmelt during both years of its biennial maturation resulted in larger adult body sizes and a skew towards positive sexual size dimorphism (females bigger than males). These results illustrate the pervasive influence of climate on key life-history traits and indicate that male and female responses to climate should be investigated separately whenever possible.

Morphology and diet of two sympatric colubrid snakes, Chironius flavolineatus and Chironius quadricarinatus (Serpentes: Colubridae)

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Augusto Vuolo Marques ◽  
Ronaldo Fernandes ◽  
Roberta Richard Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Ontogenetic Variation ◽  
Brazilian Cerrado ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Snake Species ◽  
Dietary Ecology ◽  
Arboreal Habit

Abstract The morphometry and diet of two sympatric species of Chironius (C. flavolineatus and C. quadricarinatus) from Brazilian Cerrado are described. The two snake species differ in external morphology, as Chironius flavolineatus was the largest species (body, tail and eyes) whereas C. quadricarinatus the heaviest. Each species also showed marked sexual size dimorphism. In terms of dietary ecology, both species feed exclusively on frogs with a heavy preference for hylids and may have tendency to eat small items, as noticed in other colubrine species. These two snake species showed a brownish colour pattern and exhibited no ontogenetic variation, suggesting that juveniles and adults use similar substrates. Chironius flavolineatus and C. quadricarinatus present a semi-arboreal habit, with active foraging behaviour, feeding in the ground most of time. Chironius flavolineatus uses higher vegetation for resting and, based on morphological results, seems to be more arboreal than C. quadricarinatus.

Latitudinal clines in sexual selection, sexual size dimorphism, and sex‐specific genetic dispersal during a poleward range expansion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Y. Dudaniec ◽  
Alexander R. Carey ◽  
Erik I. Svensson ◽  
Bengt Hansson ◽  
Chuan Ji Yong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Latitudinal Clines
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