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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Alternative mating tactics in dimorphic males of the harvestman Longiperna concolor (Arachnida: Opiliones)

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Author(s):
Zatz, Camila [1] ; Werneck, Rachel M. [1] ; Macias-Ordonez, Rogelio [2] ; Machado, Glauco [3]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, Programa Posgrad Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Inst Ecol, Dept Evolut Biol, AC, Xalapa, Veracruz - Mexico
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY; v. 65, n. 5, p. 995-1005, MAY 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 30
Abstract

Intense male-male competition for females may drive the evolution of male morphological dimorphism, which is frequently associated with alternative mating tactics. Using modern techniques for the detection of discontinuous allometries, we describe male dimorphism in the Neotropical harvestman Longiperna concolor, the males of which use their elongated, sexually dimorphic legs IV in fights for the possession of territories where females lay eggs. We also tested three predictions related to the existence of alternative mating tactics: (1) if individuals with relatively longer legs IV (majors) are more likely to monopolize access to reproductive resources, they are expected to remain close to stable groups of females more than individuals with relatively shorter legs IV (minors) do; (2) if minors achieve fertilization by moving between territories, they are expected to be less faithful to specific sites; and (3) majors should be observed in aggressive interactions more often. We individually marked all the individuals from a population of Longiperna during the reproductive season and recorded the location of each sighting for males and females as well as the identity of males involved in fights. Majors were more likely to have harems, and large majors were even more likely to do so. Majors were more philopatric and all males involved in fights belonged to this morph. These results strongly suggest that the mating tactic of the majors is based on resource defense whereas that of the minors probably relies on sneaking into the territories of the majors and furtively copulating with females. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/06604-7 - Cladistics of the harvestmen of the family Gonyleptidae (Arachnida: Opiliones) based on morphological, behavioral and molecular characters
Grantee:Ricardo Pinto da Rocha
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants