Why would a spider species evolve with two different types of males?
(asked by many viewers) This is an excellent question, and I have been working on the answer for the past 10 years. Even after this amount of time, I still don’t think I have all of the pieces of the puzzle (but that is the fun of doing scientific research). Before beginning to answer the question, I’d like to make a few comments about variation. Variation is the raw material of evolution and without variation between and within a species, evolution doesn’t happen. For most animal species, there is at least some variation between males, whether it is their appearance (morphology) or their behavior, but rarely is it both within the same species and this is what makes this species of jumping spider so unique. Males of many species often vary in their physical make up (strength, stamina, endurance, etc.), their ability to secure resources (hold on to a territory, supply nourishment or shelter to mates and offspring, parental care, etc.) and their ability to acquire mates (which may be dir
