Scramble competition polygyny in terrestrial arthropods

Abstract

Mating systems describe the usual number of mating partners, patterns of mate location, and patterns of parental care in populations and species. While most types of mating systems can be found in arthropods, scramble competition polygyny is likely to be very common based on the ecology of many insects and spiders. In this review we focus on terrestrial arthropods and assess how common this mating system is and discuss the behaviors and ecologies of populations that are likely to result in scramble competition. A particular interest is those systems where the wrong mate choice can carry significant costs for the male, such as through deception or sexual cannibalism. We conclude our review with future direction for research in scramble competition polygyny.59 page(s