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Type: Correspondence
Published: 2011-11-11
Page range: 64–68
Abstract views: 40
PDF downloaded: 1

On the male of the orb weaving spider Micrathena cyanospina (Lucas, 1835) (Araneidae, Araneae)

INPA - Instituto de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Departamento de Ecologia. Avenida André Araújo, 2936, Laboratório de Ecologia, Petrópolis, 69011-970, Manaus, AM, Brazil Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Artrópodes. Av. Vital Brazil 1500,Butantã, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Artrópodes. Av. Vital Brazil 1500,Butantã, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Araneae Araneidae

Abstract

Most species of spiders exhibit some degree sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Females are usually larger than males, about 20% on average (Vollrath 1998), although this difference can be much larger. By convention, species in which the adult males are half or less of the adult female size are considered sexually dimorphic, some representing cases of extreme SSD (Hormiga et al. 2000). It is worth mentioning that although males are called dwarfs, large SSD is often a consequence of female gigantism rather than male dwarfism (Hormiga et al. 2000).

References

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