Preliminary assessment of mating duration and prolonged post-copulatory associations in Arrenurus water mites (Actinotrichida: Parasitengonina: Hydrachnidiae)

Conflicts of interest between the sexes over control mating can be reflected in various aspects morphology and behaviour, including structure genitalia copulation duration. In Arrenurus water mites (Hydrachnidia: Arrenuridae) there are two main patterns sperm transfer that differ degree potential male uptake by females. some species, males equipped with an intromittent organ (the ‘petiole’) is used to forcefully insert into female reproductive tract. others, lack females appear push their opening themselves. Theory suggests amount time spent courtship after should without structure. We predicted able female’s tract (petiolate males) spend less courting transferring than apetiolate males, which may have ‘convince’ take up sperm. Here, we examined durations for 11 species genital morphology: seven a well-developed petiole (= ‘petiolate’ species) four either completely or minute peg-like does not function as ‘apetiolate’ species). tested whether petiolate stage takes place ‘post-transfer courtship’) males. contrast our prediction, found well developed petioles significantly more post-transfer behaviours lacking petioles. The possible protracted genus discussed.