Presentation Details
| Climatic variation shapes the expression of worthless nuptial gifts in spiders Manuelita Mendez1, 2, Leila Almanza1, 2, Fatima Gonzalez2, Leonardo Ricioli3, Bruno A.Buzatto4, Facundo M.Labarque3, Maria J.Albo2, 5. 1Program for the Development of Basic Sciences (PEDECIBA), Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.2 Entomology Section, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.3Arachnid Systematics Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.4College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.5Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Clemente Estable Institute of Biological Research, MEC, Montevideo, Uruguay, Uruguay |
Abstract
Climatic variation can alter the cost-benefit balance of sexual selection, promoting
divergence between populations. In gift-giving spiders, males exhibit behavioral
plasticity, offering either nutritive (fresh prey) or worthless gifts (inedible items). It has
been proposed that female choice is limited in changing environments, facilitating the
spreading of worthless gifts. Here, we investigated how environmental variability
influences the trait expression in two Neotropical species from different genera. We
combined field sampling and laboratory experiments to quantify variation in gift
content and their reproductive success across populations exposed to different
environmental conditions, particularly considering precipitation variation. Data were
analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models. We found that the
proportion of worthless gifts increases under harsher variable conditions, with a
positive relationship with precipitation variation for both species. Ongoing analyses
test whether mating duration mediates females’ responses to gift types. These
findings showcase that environmental variability can shape sexually selected traits
and promote deceptive strategies.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
divergence between populations. In gift-giving spiders, males exhibit behavioral
plasticity, offering either nutritive (fresh prey) or worthless gifts (inedible items). It has
been proposed that female choice is limited in changing environments, facilitating the
spreading of worthless gifts. Here, we investigated how environmental variability
influences the trait expression in two Neotropical species from different genera. We
combined field sampling and laboratory experiments to quantify variation in gift
content and their reproductive success across populations exposed to different
environmental conditions, particularly considering precipitation variation. Data were
analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models. We found that the
proportion of worthless gifts increases under harsher variable conditions, with a
positive relationship with precipitation variation for both species. Ongoing analyses
test whether mating duration mediates females’ responses to gift types. These
findings showcase that environmental variability can shape sexually selected traits
and promote deceptive strategies.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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