Copulation interruption decreases female reproductive success in a false widow spider

• DOI: 10.1007/s00265-024-03525-9
• Publication Date: 2025-01-09T02:15:06Z
• Authors: Yuting Dong; Jeffrey A. Harvey; Marijn van den He...; Annemie Zwanenburg; Melissah Rowe; Rieta Gols
• Keywords: Animal ecology

Abstract Copulation is essential for transferring sperm from males to females in most animals. During copulation, and are often static thus prone predation or other threats. Its duration should therefore be reduced minimize costs but sufficient ensure the fertilization of eggs. Here, we investigated reproductive behavior success false widow spider, Steatoda grossa (Araneae: Theridiidae), when copulation was interrupted after 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 min not experimentally (control). this study defined as total insertions male pedipalps into a female’s copulatory openings. In S. , uninterrupted copulations typically last 40 60 min. We found that within first 5 min, interruption negatively affected (i.e., number egg sacs, their mass, spiderlings), delayed production sac 10 (in some extreme instances by over 200 days). However, longer, outcome unaffected. 1-min treatment, sacs mass varied greatly, which indicates considerable variation among with respect speed efficiency transfer. discuss benefits extended on female reproduction fitness.