Recognition of Mates in the Portuguese Millipede, Ommatoiulus-Moreletii

Abstract

The mating behaviour of the Portuguese millipede, Ommatoiulus moreletii, was observed in the laboratory. Male attention towards females appeared to be initiated on contact. Mating activity was more frequent in the night phase of the photoperiod and was not inhibited by darkness. This suggested that a visual signal was not important in mate recognition. Females without antennae mated readily, but males without antennae did not, which suggests that males use their antennae to recognise females. Experiments in T-mazes and petri dishes showed that males were not attracted towards females, nor did they increase activity in the presence of females they could not touch, which implied that an airborne signal such as a volatile pheromone was not used. It was concluded that males use some characteristic of the female cuticle, possibly a chemical secretion, to recognise mates.