Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae)

Ajuria Ibarra, Helena and Reader, Tom (2014) Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 113 (2). pp. 368-383. ISSN 1095-8312

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Abstract

Conspicuous colour variation, caused by the influence of the environment on phenotype, or by genetic differences among individuals, is frequently observed in nature. If genetic in origin, colour variation can facilitate the study of the mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of true polymorphisms. Here, we describe for the first time the female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum. We look for associations between life history traits and female colour morph, and identify potential agents of selection that could influence the maintenance of the polymorphism. Our results show that the polymorphism is discrete and heritable, and that differences in colour among morphs are likely to be detectable by honeybees, birds, and conspecifics. We found limited evidence of differences among morphs in morphology and ecology, and found no differences in components of reproduction. Based on the lines of evidence obtained in this study, we suggest that selection exerted by prey, predators and/or mates is likely to influence the maintenance of the polymorphism observed in S. globosum.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/734540
Additional Information: Ajuria Ibarra, H. and Reader, T. (2014), Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 113: 368–383. doi: 10.1111/bij.12338
Keywords: Colour Polymorphism, Genetic Variation, Life History Traits, Reflectance Spectra, Sexual Selection, Predation, Signaling, Heritability
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12338
Depositing User: Reader, Tom
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2016 12:38
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 16:52
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/34600

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