Mating plugs and sexual cannibalism in the Colombian orb‐web spiderLeucauge mariana

Abstract

AbstractInLeucaugeorb‐web spiders, females form mating plugs, which play a part in cryptic female choice after they evaluate male performance during courtship and mating. Our aim was to assess sexual behavior and mating plug formation ofLeucauge marianafrom Colombia (CO). We carried out mating trials to describe in detail courtship and mating behavior of sexual pairs from theCOpopulation, and then compared the results to previously collected data from a Costa Rican population (CR). In addition, we assessed the amount of sperm transferred during mating predict plug formation inCOpairs. AllCOvirgin females mated (n = 23), and mating plug formation occurred in only 11 cases (48%). In contrast, allCRvirgin females mated (n = 43) and 74% formed mating plugs. None of the male courtship or mating behaviors that we measured inCOpairs predicted mating plug formation, in contrast to previous reports fromCR. Mating plugs ofCOconsisted of a matrix of unknown composition (77.2%) and encapsulated and decapsulated sperm (22.8%). InCR, plug composition varied in color and consistency, but also comprised a matrix with encapsulated and decapsulated sperm. We observed female cannibalism of males inCOpairs, which had never been reported inCRpairs. Some female displays during courtship and mating were unique to each population. Different female preferences could explain the observed geographic differences betweenL. marianain male traits and behaviors that could, in turn, promote reproductive isolation. More studies are needed to test this hypothesis.