Mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology of four Cuban whip spiders (Arachnida, Amblypygi, Phrynidae) – Taxonomic relevance and evolutionary trends

Abstract

Mating behaviour and the species-specific spermatophore morphology of four Cuban whip spider species are described. Whereas the courtship and spermatophore transfer is more or less typical for phrynid whip spider species, the entire spermatophore morphology is species-specific suggesting new undiscovered evolutionary trends and further, in two Paraphrynus species the male modify the spermatophore head with its chelicera and this differs remarkably between related species. The purpose of this unexpected behaviour is not clear and further research should resolve its function and the implications for sexual selection. Thus, we emphasizes the importance of inclusion of the species-specific spermatophore descriptions into taxonomic works.