Nest-site selection in a neotropical arachnid with exclusive male care: Proximate cues and adaptive meaning

Author(s)

Rojas, Andres ^{[1, 2]} ; Muniz, Danilo G. ^[3] ; Solano-Brenes, Diego ^[1] ; Machado, Glauco ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Programa Posgrad Ecol, Rua Matao, Trav 14, 321, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Veragua Fdn, Limon - Costa Rica

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, Rua Matao, Trav 14, 321, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ethology; v. 127, n. 4 JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Nest-site selection is a crucial decision made by parents because inadequate sites may expose the offspring and the parent to harsh abiotic and biotic conditions. Although nest-site selection has been reported for some species of arthropods, the proximate cues used by parents to select the nest site and the adaptive meaning of nest-site selection are still poorly understood. We investigated nest-site selection in the harvestman Quindina limbata, in which males build mud nests on the surface of fallen logs and perform parental care. This species inhabits tropical forests where rainfall destroys nearly 50% of the nests, representing an important selective force shaping nest-site selection. We followed 139 nests and recorded the position (angle) where these nests were located on the fallen log surface. Males showed a complex pattern of nest-site selection that responded to three proximate cues: the direct impact of raindrops on the upper half of the fallen log, the drag force caused by flowing water on the laterals of the fallen log, and water saturation on the lowest part of the fallen log. These selective pressures created a bimodal pattern of nest distribution on the lower half of the fallen logs. The peaks of this distribution occurred in places where nests are protected from the direct impact of raindrops, the drag force caused by flowing water is not high, and the risk of nest flooding is low. The possible adaptive meaning of nest-site selection is to minimize the risk of nest destruction, which imposes energetic costs to males that need to build another nest. Nest-site selection may also minimize reproductive costs because males with damaged nests show decreased attractiveness to females. Finally, nest-site selection may increase offspring fitness minimizing the risk of egg mortality associated with nest destruction and anoxia when nests are flooded. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/12816-1 - Male mate choice in a gift giving spider: do males adjust their sexual investment according to females' body condition?
• Grantee: Diego Esteban Solano Brenes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/10448-4 - Interplay between paternal care and sexual selection in harvestmen
• Grantee: Glauco Machado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/22514-1 - Computational models for the evolution of female choice and male sexual ornaments
• Grantee: Danilo Germano Muniz da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral