Sexual selection in neotropical spiders: Examples from selected groups

Abstract

Spiders have long been noted as classic examples of sexual behavior among arachnids, including extreme sexual dimorphism in some groups, and behavioral adaptations to diverse mating patterns. In recent decades, studies on the biology of Neotropical spiders have offered novel information on processes related to reproductive biology, including sexual selection. The present chapter synthesizes the large amount of knowledge on sexual selection and associated subjects in spiders from the Neotropics. Some of the groups considered in this review are mygalomorphs, lycosids and related, orb-weaving species, tetragnathids, social species, pholcids, and oonopids, among others. Concepts, patterns, mechanisms, and prospects on different areas of sexual selection are shown in detail for all these groups. In particular, here we highlight selected examples of the different contexts in which male–female interactions occur, such as mate choice, sexual cannibalism, sperm competition, and cryptic female choice. We outline the potential evolutionary consequences according to those contexts, with a final selection of model groups for specific experimental and comparative investigations.