Fighting, Courtship, and Spermatophore Morphology of the Whip Spider Musicodamon atlanteus Fage, 1939 (Phrynichidae) (Chelicerata, Amblypygi)

Abstract

The behaviour of Musicodamon atlanteus differs markedly from that of most other amblypygid species. First, this species has modified fighting behaviour. The fighting prelude with the “fencing posture” of other species has become the final fight during which opponents tap and beat at each other with their third legs. Further, Musicodamon has greatly reduced its mating behaviour. The spermatophore clearly shows similarities to those of Phrynichus and Trichodamon. Finally, its female genitalia resemble those of Trichodamon and, in particular, Damon uncinatus. This raises the possibility that complex spermatophores with bars and levers like those of the Phrynichinae are plesiomorphic within the Phrynichinae; they are apomorphic for the genera Damon, Musicodamon, Trichodamon, Phrynichus, and Euphrynichus. The spermatophores of most Damon species with their large sperm masses and simple mechanism are probably simplified and apomorphic.