Masako Katsuki , Kaoru Uesugi , Tomoyuki Yokoi , Takane Ozawa , Devin M. O'Brien , Douglas J. Emlen , Kensuke Okada , Yasukazu Okada
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Mate choice and male–male combat over successful mating often cause disproportionate exaggeration of male trait relative to body size. However, the exaggeration is often not the only trait involved with male–male combat and mate choice: suites of co-expressed traits may function together as a coordinated unit. When this occurs, dimorphism may be expected for these additional, non-exaggerated, structures. S. femorata males have disproportionately large hind-legs used in male–male combat over females. During the fights, fore- and mid-legs are used to keep males in positions where advantageous for leverage. Because use of the exaggerated hind-legs is coordinated with the other legs, they will coevolve as a functional unit. Here, we show that 1) S. femorata has sexual size differences in all three legs; 2) males show positive allometry in the relative sizes of all three legs; and 3) microstructures of tarsi on the fore- and mid-legs are also sexually dimorphic. Despite these differences in the tarsal microstructure, 4) adhesion forces of the tarsi had no sexual difference in flat surface. The microstructure would be specialized on attaching elytra surface. These results suggest that the three pairs of legs function together during fighting behavior, with hind-legs employed primarily for fighting, and the fore- and mid-legs functioning to grip females, keeping males positioned on the back of the female during combat.
期刊介绍:
Arthropod Structure & Development is a Journal of Arthropod Structural Biology, Development, and Functional Morphology; it considers manuscripts that deal with micro- and neuroanatomy, development, biomechanics, organogenesis in particular under comparative and evolutionary aspects but not merely taxonomic papers. The aim of the journal is to publish papers in the areas of functional and comparative anatomy and development, with an emphasis on the role of cellular organization in organ function. The journal will also publish papers on organogenisis, embryonic and postembryonic development, and organ or tissue regeneration and repair. Manuscripts dealing with comparative and evolutionary aspects of microanatomy and development are encouraged.