Allometry of Male Grasping Apparatus in Odonates Does Not Suggest Physical Coercion of Females

Male abdominal grasping apparatus that are used to secure a female prior, during and after mating, are widespread in arthropods. The scarce evidence regarding its selective regime suggests that they are male adaptations to circumvent female mating decisions, as predicted by the sexual conflict hypothesis. A recent discussion regarding this way of selection suggests that, similar to weapons and traits that have to do with physical endurance,...