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Issue: Vol. 5311 No. 2: 29 Jun. 2023
Type: Article
Published: 2023-06-29
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5311.2.7
Page range: 281-288
Abstract views: 216
PDF downloaded: 12

Ride on female for “prima nocta” or close attachment in the araneid spider Caerostris sumatrana Strand, 1915 (Araneae: Araneidae)

Federal Scientific Center of East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity; Far Eastern Branch; Russian Academy of Sciences; Vladivostok 690022; Russia. Institute for Biological Problems of the North; Portovaya Street 18; Magadan 685000; Russia.
Department of Zoology & Entomology; University of the Free State; Bloemfontein 9300; South Africa. Altai State University; Lenina Pr.; 61; Barnaul; RF-656049; Russia.
Araneae Laos Southeast Asia mating behavior secure paternity female guarding

Abstract

A unique type of mate guarding behavior is discovered in the araneid spider Caerostris sumatrana Strand, 1915: the male waits for the female’s maturity while staying tied to the dorsal surface of her abdomen. The species is redescribed in detail. General appearance of the male and its fine structures are illustrated by scanning electron microscopy for the first time. Genital emasculation in the male of this species is reported for the first time.

 

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