Pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection in a sexually cannibalistic praying mantid

Animals have evolved intriguing mating strategies, through sexual selection, that presumably maximize their lifetime reproductive success. Sexually cannibalistic systems are a fascinating mating system in which to study the evolution of reproductive behaviour. This allows us to understand how male and female mating strategies evolve through the inter-relationship of sexual selection and sexual cannibalism. Even though sexually cannibalistic mating systems are widely used in describing female mating strategies, evidence for male mating strategies in such systems is sparse. Therefore, this thesis investigates how sexual selection and sexual cannibalism shape pre- and post-mating strategies in the false garden mantid Pseudomantis albofimbriata with a focus on male mating behaviour. More specifically, this research provides evidence for; 1) the selection of male traits that aid in effective and efficient mate location where males with more trichoid sensilla on their antennae locate females more quickly, 2) context dependent strategic male mating resource investment in response to sexual cannibalism (but not female quality), 3) potential post-copulatory paternity assurance mechanisms through a prolonged female refractory period. Finally, my thesis provides evidence and explanations for why males do not reject highly risky females in a sexually cannibalistic mating system. My thesis makes contributions to behavioural ecology and evolution, as it explores and describes this intriguing mating system from the male perspective.