Frontiers in Zoology最新文献

{"title":"Size-dependent effects of the intestinal microbiota in juvenile Chinese alligators: implications for species protection","authors":"Wengang Li, Jingru Liu, Lulu Cui, Ke Sun, Yulin Gao, Qin Wang, Yongkang Zhou, Lan Mei, Pingsi Yi, XiaoBing Wu, ZhenPeng Yu, Tao Pan","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00572-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00572-4","url":null,"abstract":"Increasing the quality of offspring to optimize population reproductive efficiency represents a viable approach for increasing population size. The population of Chinese alligators has a growing age structure, but the high mortality rate of juveniles is a serious problem that needs to be solved. We investigated the relationship between the weight of juvenile Chinese alligators and the microbiota to improve the survival rate and provide better protection for Chinese alligators. The results revealed significant differences in body weight among the selected individuals. Among the 35 most abundant microbial genera in the different weight groups, four genera (Stenoxybacter, Gracilibacteria, Absconditabacteriales_(SR1) and Saccharimonadales) were significantly positively correlated with weight. These genera can help the host shape the anaerobic environment of the intestine, degrade organic acids and proteins, and promote the production of growth-promoting factors. This study provided valuable insights into the relationship between the microbiota and weight, along with theoretical guidance for improving the survival rate of juvenile Chinese alligators.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144719397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Zooid arrangement and colony growth in Porpita porpita","authors":"Kohei Oguchi, Akiteru Maeno, Keita Yoshida, Gaku Yamamoto, Hisanori Kohtsuka, Casey W. Dunn","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00568-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00568-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>Correction: </b><b>Frontiers in Zoology (2025) 22:11</b> https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00565-3</p><br/><p>Following publication of the original article [1], author reported the captions to Figs. 5 and 6 were swapped. Captions have been revised to:</p><figure><figcaption><b data-test=\"figure-caption-text\">Fig. 5</b></figcaption><picture><source srcset=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs12983-025-00568-0/MediaObjects/12983_2025_568_Fig5_HTML.jpg?as=webp\" type=\"image/webp\"/><img alt=\"figure 5\" aria-describedby=\"Fig5\" height=\"896\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs12983-025-00568-0/MediaObjects/12983_2025_568_Fig5_HTML.jpg\" width=\"685\"/></picture><p>Several developmental stages of dactylozooids (<b>a, b, c</b>) and gonozooids (<b>d, e</b>). Immature dactylozooids in dactylozooids growth zone. Newly budding dactylozooids (nda: arrowheads) can be seen. Relatively developed dactylozooids have several projections at the distal side of zooids (<b>b, c</b>). Immature gonozooids at the epithelial of coenosarc (<b>d</b>). Relatively developed gonozooids have medusa buds at proximal side and small projections at distal side (<b>e</b>)</p><span>Full size image</span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" height=\"16\" role=\"img\" width=\"16\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-eds-i-chevron-right-small\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\"></use></svg></figure><figure><figcaption><b data-test=\"figure-caption-text\">Fig. 6</b></figcaption><picture><source srcset=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs12983-025-00568-0/MediaObjects/12983_2025_568_Fig6_HTML.jpg?as=webp\" type=\"image/webp\"/><img alt=\"figure 6\" aria-describedby=\"Fig6\" height=\"765\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs12983-025-00568-0/MediaObjects/12983_2025_568_Fig6_HTML.jpg\" width=\"685\"/></picture><p>Heteromorphic colonies observed in 2022 (<b>a, b</b>) and 2024 (<b>c, d, e, f</b>). These specimens include one colony that is completely split in half (<b>a</b>) as well as a colony that has presumably regenerated (<b>b, c, d</b>). Colonies with large curved margins were also observed (<b>e, f</b>)</p><span>Full size image</span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" height=\"16\" role=\"img\" width=\"16\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-eds-i-chevron-right-small\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\"></use></svg></figure><p>The original article [1] has been updated.</p><ol data-track-component=\"outbound reference\" data-track-context=\"references section\"><li data-counter=\"1.\"><p>Oguchi K, Maeno A, Yoshida K, et al. Zooid arrangement and colony growth <i>in Porpita porpita</i>. Front Zool. 2025;22:11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00565-3.</p><p>Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar </p></li></ol><p>Download references<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" height=\"16\" role=\"img\" width=\"16\"><use xlink:href=\"#ic","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"109 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144622331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transferable approaches to CRISPR-Cas9 induced genome editing in non-model insects: a brief guide","authors":"Hassan M. M. Ahmed, Lisha Zheng, Vera S. Hunnekuhl","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00566-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00566-2","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the large variety of insect species with divergent morphological, developmental and physiological features questions on gene function could for a long time only be addressed in few model species. The adaption of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system for genome editing in eukaryotic cells widened the scope of the field of functional genetics: for the first time the creation of heritable genetic changes had become possible in a very broad range of organisms. Since then, targeted genome editing using the CRISPR-Cas technology has greatly increased the possibilities for genetic manipulation in non-model insects where molecular genetic tools were little established. The technology allows for site-specific mutagenesis and germline transformation. Importantly, it can be used for the generation of gene knock-outs, and for the knock-in of transgenes and generation of gene-reporter fusions. CRISPR-Cas induced genome editing can thus be applied to address questions in basic research in various insect species and other study organisms. Notably, it can also be used in applied insect biotechnology to design new pest and vector control strategies such as gene drives and precision guided Sterile Insect Technique. However, establishing CRISPR in a new model requires several practical considerations that depend on the scientific questions and on the characteristics of the respective study organism. Therefore, this review is intended to give a literature overview on different CRISPR-Cas9 based methods that have already been established in diverse insects. After discussing some required pre-conditions of the study organism, we provide a guide through experimental considerations when planning to conduct CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, such as the design and delivery of guide RNAs, and of Cas9 endonuclease. We discuss the use of different repair mechanisms including homology directed repair (HDR) for a defined insertion of genetic elements. Furthermore, we describe different molecular methods for genetic screening and the use of visible markers. We focus our review on experimental work in insects, but due to the ubiquitous functionality of the CRISPR-Cas system many considerations are transferable to other non-model organisms.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144568838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"To eat or to care? Factors shaping parental or infanticidal behaviours in male poison frogs during territory takeover","authors":"Leïla Perroulaz, Lauriane Bégué, Eva Ringler","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00567-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00567-1","url":null,"abstract":"Parental care is costly for the caregiver. Therefore, parents should be able to discriminate between their own and conspecific offspring to avoid costly misdirected care. Infanticide, the intentional killing of conspecific young by adult individuals, occurs in many animal taxa. It has been shown to have several benefits for the perpetrator, such as increasing mating opportunities, ensuring dominance, or reducing a competitor’s fitness; but infanticide may also minimise risks of misdirected parental care. Previous studies in Allobates femoralis, a poison frog with parental care, have shown that males transport all tadpoles present in their territory to water bodies, regardless of whether they have sired the clutch or not. However, when taking over a new territory, males cannibalise clutches from the previous territory holder. These findings raise the question as to which factors actually shape parental care and infanticidal behaviour in male A. femoralis after territory takeover. To answer this question, we designed a laboratory experiment, in which we tested males with different territorial status and recent mating activity. We recorded tadpole transport and cannibalism and compared the occurrence of these two behaviours across our different experimental conditions. We found that territory ownership, relatedness to clutches, and possibly also recent mating activity influenced parental behaviours. However, we were unable to clearly disentangle the factors influencing cannibalistic behaviours. Our results also confirmed that males use territorial recognition to discriminate between their own and unrelated offspring, and that they commit infanticide likely to avoid misdirected parental care. Transport and cannibalism appear to be impacted by several factors in different ways. We found that the territorial status and relatedness to the clutch both influence parental behaviours in male poison frogs, whereas the factors influencing infanticidal behaviours remain unclear. Therefore, transport and cannibalism appear to be two independent processes, and factors influencing one behaviour do not necessarily affect the other. Further studies should investigate associated neuroendocrine changes, to better understand the mechanisms underlying parental and infanticidal behaviour in poison frogs. Our findings suggest that the decision-making processes involved in tadpole transport and clutch cannibalism appear to be more complex than previously thought.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"70 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144547571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zooid arrangement and colony growth in Porpita porpita","authors":"Kohei Oguchi, Akiteru Maeno, Keita Yoshida, Gaku Yamamoto, Hisanori Kohtsuka, Casey W. Dunn","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00565-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00565-3","url":null,"abstract":"The blue button, Porpita porpita (Porpitidae), is a highly integrated colonial animal—i.e., a superorganism. It has multiple genetically identical bodies (zooids) that arise from the same embryo and are functionally specialized for distinct tasks and arranged in precise patterns. Their colonies include a float, coenosarc, gastrozooid (feeding polyp), gonozooids (reproductive polyps), and dactylozooids (tentacle polyp). Colonies are fragile and difficult to culture, leaving much about their development and lifecycle unknown. We provide new insight into colony development of P. porpita with morphological observation and histological analysis using histological sections and micro-CT technology. From 2019 to 2024, we collected over 267 P. porpita specimens of varying sizes to study colony development. Morphological investigation revealed that the number and length of gastrozooids, gonozooids and dactylozooids increased with float size. Further observation by histological section and micro-CT technique revealed the internal structures of colonies, including gastrozooid, floats, and aboral chambers that connect various zooids. Immature gonozooids and dactylozooids were observed near mature ones, providing insight into their colony level development. In addition, some colonies showed irregular shapes, but still contained at least one gastrozooid, illustrating the structural variation within the species. Our study revealed that gonozooids and dactylozooids increased in both number and size as the colony develops. Moreover, the growth zones for dactylozooids are located at the boundary of the mantle and coenosarc, and gonozooids emerge along the entire epithelium between the gastrozooid and dactylozooids. Colony growth generally follows a pattern proportional to colony circumference and area, and some colonies show irregular shapes, suggesting they have high regenerative capabilities. Taken together, these findings enhance our understanding of the ecology and life history of P. porpita.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144341293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Restriction times on the rise: mechanistic modelling of activity time of grassland vipers (Vipera spp.) in the face of climate change","authors":"Edvárd Mizsei, Tibor Sos, Attila Móré, Bálint Wenner, Gergő Rák, Konrad Mebert","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00564-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00564-4","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change threatens species adapted to cool alpine environments, particularly ectotherms like reptiles. Small-sized grassland specialist vipers inhabit such environments in Eurasia and are highly susceptible to overheating and dehydration as global temperature rises. This study modelled activity restriction times, defined as hours when environmental temperatures exceed the thermal tolerance (i.e. not available for essential activities) of the species, for 20 grassland viper taxa to assess climate change impacts. Under future conditions, hours of activity restriction are projected to increase by 21% by the SSP1-2.6 scenario, and by 52.1% by the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Elevation and latitude significantly influenced restriction time changes, with high-altitude and northern populations predicted to be most affected. The taxa Vipera graeca and Vipera ursinii moldavica are expected to experience the greatest increase in restriction times. Despite warmer conditions potentially increasing hours within preferred thermal ranges, vipers are unlikely to exploit lower-elevation habitats due to competition and ecological constraints. These findings emphasise the urgent need for conservation strategies, including habitat preservation and connectivity, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on grassland vipers, particularly the most vulnerable populations.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144341294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The apple of discord: can spider cocoons be equipped with antimicrobial factors?—a systematic review","authors":"Mateusz Glenszczyk, Artur Lis, Weronika Porc, Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak, Agnieszka Babczyńska","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00563-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00563-5","url":null,"abstract":"The antimicrobial properties of spider silk have been a topic of scientific intrigue since ancient times. Despite extensive research, the question remains unresolved due to conflicting findings and methodological challenges. This work revisits and synthesizes current knowledge, proposing that spider cocoons, rather than other spider products, serve as a particularly promising focus for investigating antimicrobial factors. This emphasis arises from their critical role in parental investment and reproductive success, as the maternal care associated with spider egg sacs suggests the necessity for enhanced antimicrobial protection to safeguard offspring. By investigating existing research, we propose that the protective properties of spider egg sacs may derive not only from the silk itself, but also from the eggs contained within, as supported by previous hypotheses. Furthermore, drawing on the body of knowledge, we suggest that potential antimicrobial defense mechanisms may extend beyond intrinsic factors, encompassing interactions with microorganisms, plants, and other possible environmental elements that remain unexplored but may likely be interconnected. This review highlights that the potential interplay of these factors may be complex and possibly influenced by ecological and biological contexts. Unraveling these dynamics requires an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating diverse methodologies and perspectives to address the gaps in current knowledge. By refining the focus and embracing a broader conceptual framework, future research can provide definitive insights into the antimicrobial properties of spider cocoons. Resolving this long-standing question will not only clarify the scientific debate but also deepen our understanding of spider biology and the adaptive strategies that have evolved to ensure reproductive success.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144153677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling habitat suitability and connectivity for the sole endemic genus of Italian vertebrate: present and future perspectives","authors":"Davide Serva, Ilaria Bernabò, Viviana Cittadino, Antonio Romano, Francesco Cerasoli, Maurizio Biondi, Mattia Iannella","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00562-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00562-6","url":null,"abstract":"Amphibians are the most globally threatened vertebrates, facing a particularly high risk of extinction in some regions, such as the Mediterranean basin. Within this region, the genus Salamandrina, comprising two species of notable conservation concerns, managed to persist throughout historical climate changes exclusively along the Italian peninsula. Among the main threats to this genus are habitat loss and climate change, as this salamander is adapted to humid forests and relies heavily on water sources, such as small streams, for reproduction. In this study, we employed fine-scale species distribution models (SDMs) to estimate areas projected to remain suitable for Salamandrina species in the future and areas expected to become unsuitable, incorporating bioclimatic, topographic, and habitat variables. We also evaluated landscape connectivity and identified ecological corridors that could facilitate movement through circuit-theory techniques, analyzing potential changes under different scenarios. Additionally, considering known hybridization events in a contact zone between the two species, we measured connectivity to assess whether this process might change in the future. We found several suitable areas that mostly align with the known ranges of both species. Future projections showed an overall decline in habitat suitability, with a northwestern shift. While strong in certain areas, landscape connectivity is expected to decrease overall. Specifically, our results revealed several corridors for S. perspicillata (the northern species), with higher connectivity values in the Central Apennines. For S. terdigitata (the southern species), a crucial corridor in the Catena Costiera Massifs, in the western southernmost region of the Italian peninsula, connects two key conservation areas. In the contact zone, we identified corridors that could favor hybridization between the species, with predictions suggesting an increase. Our findings inform the long-term conservation of a unique salamander genus. Strengthening conservation measures on Salamandrina species in areas predicted to become unsuitable or in areas that could become suitable and serve as ecological corridors will be critical. Furthermore, future monitoring efforts should focus on the corridors identified in the contact zone to assess whether the hybridization process is ongoing and at what rate.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144137166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Establishing genome sequencing and assembly for non-model and emerging model organisms: a brief guide","authors":"Tilman Schell, Carola Greve, Lars Podsiadlowski","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00561-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00561-7","url":null,"abstract":"Reference genome assemblies are the basis for comprehensive genomic analyses and comparisons. Due to declining sequencing costs and growing computational power, genome projects are now feasible in smaller labs. De novo genome sequencing for non-model or emerging model organisms requires knowledge about genome size and techniques for extracting high molecular weight DNA. Next to quality, the amount of DNA obtained from single individuals is crucial, especially, when dealing with small organisms. While long-read sequencing technologies are the methods of choice for creating high quality genome assemblies, pure short-read assemblies might bear most of the coding parts of a genome but are usually much more fragmented and do not well resolve repeat elements or structural variants. Several genome initiatives produce more and more non-model organism genomes and provide rules for standards in genome sequencing and assembly. However, sometimes the organism of choice is not part of such an initiative or does not meet its standards. Therefore, if the scientific question can be answered with a genome of low contiguity in intergenic parts, missing the high standards of chromosome scale assembly should not prevent publication. This review describes how to set up an animal genome sequencing project in the lab, how to estimate costs and resources, and how to deal with suboptimal conditions. Thus, we aim to suggest optimal strategies for genome sequencing that fulfil the needs according to specific research questions, e.g. “How are species related to each other based on whole genomes?” (phylogenomics), “How do genomes of populations within a species differ?” (population genomics), “Are differences between populations relevant for conservation?” (conservation genomics), “Which selection pressure is acting on certain genes?” (identification of genes under selection), “Did repeats expand or contract recently?” (repeat dynamics).","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143841552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alternative mating tactics in brown widow spiders: mating with or without male self-sacrifice does not affect the copulatory mechanism","authors":"Lenka Sentenská, Dante Poy, Maydianne C. B. Andrade, Gabriele B. Uhl","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00560-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00560-8","url":null,"abstract":"Male self-sacrifice during mating is one of the most extreme forms of male reproductive investment. In two species of widow spiders (genus Latrodectus), males trigger sexual cannibalism by “somersaulting” into the fangs of the female after copulatory coupling is achieved. In this position, sperm are transferred with the secondary sexual organs, the transformed pedipalps of the male, while the female starts feeding on his opisthosoma. In Latrodectus hasselti and L. geometricus, matings also occur with subadult females (i.e. females in their last moulting stage) but during these “immature” matings, males do not perform the somersault. Consequently, mating positions differ dramatically between matings with adult and subadult females. Here, we investigate the copulatory mechanism of adult and immature matings in the brown widow L. geometricus by shock-freezing copulating pairs and 3D X-ray microtomography. We hypothesize differences in the copulatory mechanism and depth of insertion of the sperm transfer structures between the two mating tactics. We found that the copulatory mechanism does not differ between adult and immature mating tactics and do not depend on whether a somersault occurs. Furthermore, the somersault does not improve intromission depth of the male sperm transfer organs into the female sperm storage organs. Our results suggest that the somersault has evolved solely due to the selective advantages of sexual cannibalism. The costs and benefits of both mating tactics need to be further explored using paternity studies in order to understand their relative adaptive value.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143758696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}