Mating behavior of Theridiosoma gemmosum (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae) - the unusual role of male dragline silk
2011
Abstrakt
The mating of Theridiosoma gemmosum consists of a series of successive copulations. In the interval between two consecutive copulations, the females unwind the silken threads released by the male spinning organs; these threads are known as draglines or lifelines.
The silk thus obtained is rolled up by the females into bundles, which they ingest prior to the next copulation. In other words, the mating of T. gemmosum involves the transfer of nutrients from the male to the female via silk.
Silk provided by the male during copulation and eaten by the female, can be considered a nuptial gift