Assortative mating by aggressiveness type in orb weaving spiders

Lay summary One of the most difficult questions in personality research is how personalities are maintained. Our study of bridge spiders revealed assortative mating by aggressiveness type. Aggressive males were better fighters and fathered more offspring than non-aggressive rivals. We conclude that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral ecology 2013-07, Vol.24 (4), p.824-831
Main Authors: Kralj-Fiser, S., Sanguino Mostajo, G. A., Preik, O., Pekar, S., Schneider, J. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Araneae
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Summary:Lay summary One of the most difficult questions in personality research is how personalities are maintained. Our study of bridge spiders revealed assortative mating by aggressiveness type. Aggressive males were better fighters and fathered more offspring than non-aggressive rivals. We conclude that assortative mating by behavioral type is a potential mechanism maintaining the existence of consistent behavioral types. Lay summary One of the most difficult questions in personality research is how personalities are maintained. Our study of bridge spiders revealed assortative mating by aggressiveness type. Aggressive males were better fighters and fathered more offspring than non-aggressive rivals. We conclude that assortative mating by behavioral type is a potential mechanism maintaining the existence of consistent behavioral types.
ISSN:1045-2249
1465-7279
DOI:10.1093/beheco/art030