Sexual dimorphism in trophic morphology and feeding behavior of wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) as a result of differences in reproductive roles

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in animals is thought to be a result of differences between the sexes in the relationship between reproductive success and a trait, or a result of intersexual niche divergence. Intersexual niche divergence occurs as a result of competition between the sexes and is generally inferred from sexual dimorphism in morphological features associated with feeding. However, differences between the sexes in trophic morphology can be a result of either intersexual niche divergence or differences in the relationship between foraging success and reproduction between the sexes. In this study we examined sex differences in the trophic morphology of six wolf spider species and in the feeding behavior of two of these species. Females were larger than males in almost all characteristics even after differences in body size were accounted for, and killed and consumed more prey. We found little evidence of intersexual niche divergence based on differences in the relative prey sizes preferred by males and females of two species. Our data suggest that differences in the reproductive roles of males and females have resulted in foraging success being more important for female fitness than for male fitness and that differences in reproductive roles can result in sexual dimorphism.