Cocoon care in the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola (Eresidae)
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چکیده
The evolution of cocoon care in Stegodyphus dumicola seems to be influenced by a high migration rate between the colonies. Intruding conspecifics are tolerated by resident spiders and discriminating behaviour is observed only under special conditions. To prevent social parasitism, females care only for their own cocoons and not for those of other females from the same or foreign colonies. I describe biparental cocoon care and two different reproductive strategies that males have developed due to the social organisation in the colonies of S. dumicola. This is the first description of biparental care in spiders. Possible causes of biparental care are discussed.
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