Body size, symmetry and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus distant (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae)
Neotrop. entomol
;
40(3): 305-311, May-June 2011. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-591329
ABSTRACT
This study analyses the role of body size and symmetry in the sexual selection and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus Distant. Sexual conflicts signaled by coercive mating, female resistance, and pre-copulation fights illustrate the mating system. Male-female struggles were observed in all mating attempts. Females tried to reject males by pushing or running and even by vigorously shaking their bodies, in attempts to dislodge the male from their dorsum. In spite of sexual conflicts during courtship, females actively chose their mates based on morphological and behavioral traits. Larger males with more symmetrical tibiae and longer tarsi that are better copula imposers were more successful in sexual competition. Evidence is presented that sexual conflict and female mate choice should not be mutually excluded.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Sexual Behavior, Animal
/
Body Size
/
Hemiptera
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Neotrop. entomol
Journal subject:
Biology
/
ZOOLOGIA
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Univ Federal de Uberlândia/BR
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