Sexual dimorphism in chelicerae of scorpions: evaluation of current hypothesis of sexual selection

CARRERA, P.; MATTONI, C. I.; PERETTI, A. V.

ZOOLOGY

ELSEVIER GMBH

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2009 vol. 112 p. 332 - 350

0944-2006

Specialised structures that enable males to grasp females during exual interactions are highly susceptible to selection and thus diverge relatively rapidly over evolutionary time. These structures are often used to test hypotheses regarding sexual selection such as sexually antagonistic co-evolution and sexual selection by female choice. In the presen study, we determin whether there is a relationship between a novel record of scorpion sexual dimorphism, the sexual dimorphism of chelicerae (CSD), and the presence of the mating behaviour termed ‘‘cheliceral grip’’(CG). The presence of both traits in the order Scorpiones is also reviewed from a phylogenetic perspective.