PATTERNS OF SPERM USAGE IN LARGE HOUSE SPIDERS (TEGENARIA-SPP) - GENETICS OF ESTERASE MARKERS

Wild-mated, female large house spiders (Tegenaria gigantea and T. saev a) and their offspring were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophor esis in order to establish the genetic control of esterase isozyme mar kers. Three esterase systems (groups of bands) are recognized. Bands o f systems I and III are inherited in a co-dominant fashion and are con trolled by two autosomal loci. Bands of system II are inherited in a m ore complex way which is not yet fully resolved. All loci controlling esterases are very tightly linked forming what is operationally a sing le esterase 'locus' at which there are potentially 90 composite 'allel es'. At least one wild-caught female had mated more than once and anal ysis of her broods suggests that sperm from different males may mix un iformly prior to the fertilization of eggs. This conclusion needs to b e substantiated using experimental matings.