A spider mating plug functions to protect sperm

Area of Science:

• * Zoology
• * Evolutionary Biology
• * Reproductive Biology

Background:

• * Mating plugs are common in animals and often linked to mating strategies.
• * In spiders, female genital anatomy necessitates additional sperm protection beyond anatomical structures.
• * The function of mating plugs in spiders may extend beyond preventing remating.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To test the hypothesis that spider mating plugs function as sperm protection mechanisms.
• * To investigate the diversity of spermathecal morphology and its relation to sperm protection.
• * To elucidate the specific functions of different mating plug types in *Diphya wulingensis*.

Main Methods:

• * Comparative morphological study of 411 epigyna from 330 entelegyne spider species.
• * Classification of entelegyne spermathecae into four types (SEG, SED, SCG, SCD).
• * 3D reconstruction of epigynal tracts in *Diphya wulingensis* using histological sections.

Main Results:

• * Confirmed the necessity of sperm protection mechanisms in entelegyne spiders.
• * Identified two distinct mating plug types in *Diphya wulingensis*: sperm plugs and secretion plugs.
• * Sperm plugs prevent leakage and desiccation; secretion plugs offer permanent protection and prevent remating.

Conclusions:

• * Spider mating plugs serve dual roles: sperm protection and mate guarding.
• * Spermathecal morphology varies, suggesting diverse solutions for sperm protection.
• * Mating plugs are crucial for both reproductive strategies and sperm viability in spiders.