Abstract
Oedothorax gibbosus(Blackwall, 1841) is a dwarf spider characterized by the occurrence of a male dimorphism: the tuberosusmale does not show any remarkable differentiation at the dorsal side of the carapace; the gibbosusmorph on the contrary has a hunch behind the eye region, with a transversal groove densely clothed with hairs. These structures play an important function in the gustatorial courtship, being the uptake of secretions by the female from a body part of the male during courtship. Based on standardized survival experiments we show that tuberosushas a greater overall survival strength for different humidity levels than gibbosus. The two male morphs of O. gibbosusalso have a different mating strategy: tuberosusas well as gibbosuscopulate with virgin females, but gibbosuscopulates significantly more with already inseminated females. Because of this strategy gibbosussecures its offspring notwithstanding the faster development, the longer adult life and the greater overall survival strength of tuberosus.
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