Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae)
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 polymorph...
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| Format: | Article |
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Linnean Society
2014
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34600/ |
| _version_ | 1848794891242438656 |
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| author | Ajuria Ibarra, Helena Reader, Tom |
| author_facet | Ajuria Ibarra, Helena Reader, Tom |
| author_sort | Ajuria Ibarra, Helena |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:23:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-34600 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:23:24Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Linnean Society |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-346002020-05-04T16:52:48Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34600/ Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) Ajuria Ibarra, Helena Reader, Tom 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. Linnean Society 2014-10-01 Article PeerReviewed 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 Colour Polymorphism Genetic Variation Life History Traits Reflectance Spectra Sexual Selection Predation Signaling Heritability http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bij.12338/abstract doi:10.1111/bij.12338 doi:10.1111/bij.12338 |
| spellingShingle | Colour Polymorphism Genetic Variation Life History Traits Reflectance Spectra Sexual Selection Predation Signaling Heritability Ajuria Ibarra, Helena Reader, Tom Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title | Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title_full | Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title_fullStr | Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title_short | Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae) |
| title_sort | female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider synema globosum (araneae: thomisidae) |
| topic | Colour Polymorphism Genetic Variation Life History Traits Reflectance Spectra Sexual Selection Predation Signaling Heritability |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34600/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34600/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34600/ |