Sexual Behavior of Three Species of the Family Isotomidae (Collembola)

摘要

Sexual behavior has been studied in three isotomid species (Vertagopm cinereus, V. pseudoci-nereus, and Proisotoma clavipild) with weakly manifested sexual dimorphism. Courtship displays in these species have been found to be similar to those in somerepresentatives of Symphypleona. Male sexual behavior involves stimulation of the female (courtship), spermatophore deposition, and pushing the female toward the spermatophore. The following phenomena have been recorded in isotomids for the first time: attachment of the male with antennae to the female's abdomen during pursuit, repeated stimulation of the receptive female, and repeated capture of the spermatophore Spermatophore substitution by a competing male has been observed at the final stage. Details of the sexual behavior are species-specific.