Consequences of sexual size dimorphism on energetics and locomotor performance of Grammostola rosea (Araneae; Teraphosidae)

Abstract

Most male spiders are smaller than females; during sexual maturity, males change their behaviour, abandoning their web or nest to seek out receptive females actively, whereas females stalk prey near their web or nest and tend not to move away from it. Considering this behavioural difference to be associated with increased locomotor activity at maturity, it may be hypothesized that males will have traits that increase locomotor performance. The present study examines the kinetics and energetics of the movements of the mygalomorph spider Grammostola rosea Walckenaer, a large spider with sexual size dimorphism. It is found that males have a higher maximum aerobic speed, average speed, distance travelled and critical angle of climbing than females, indicating better performance. Males also have lower costs of transport than females. These results support the hypothesis that sexual dimorphism in wandering spiders with active males, which are characterized by smaller body size and longer legs than the larger and more static females, is associated with low transport cost, high velocity and better locomotor performance.