In many species, males possess specialized weaponry that have evolved to confer a benefit during aggressive interactions. Because male weaponry is typically an exaggerated or extreme version of pre-existing body parts, females often possess reduced or weaponry. Although much research has investigated sexual dimorphism in the sizes of such weapons, other weapon components, such as weapon performance or alternative weapon forms can also explain the evolution of weapon sexual dimorphisms. Here, we investigated the allometry and variation of multiple weapon components of hindleg weaponry in the male and female giant mesquite bugs, Thasus necalifornicus. Despite theory predicating greater allocation in male weaponry, we found that females allocated more into the lengths of their hindlegs compared to males. Despite this allocation, males possess relatively wider hindlegs, which likely increase area of muscle mass. Indeed, the squeezing performance of male hindlegs was much greater than that of female hindlegs. Lastly, we also described the allometry and variation in a male weapon component, prominent tibial spines, which likely are used to damage competitors during aggressive interaction. Overall, our findings highlight the intricacies of weapon sexual dimorphism and demonstrate the importance of measuring multiple weapon components and not a single measure.

中文翻译：

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后腿武器的性能而非大小在巨大的豆科灌木虫（Thasus neocalifornicus）中具有两性异性。

在许多物种中，雄性拥有专门的武器，这些武器经过进化后可以在积极的互动中受益。因为男性武器通常是现有身体部位的夸张或极端版本，所以女性通常拥有减少的武器。尽管许多研究已经研究了此类武器大小上的性二态性，但其他武器组件（例如武器性能或替代武器形式）也可以解释武器性二态性的演变。在这里，我们研究了雄性和雌性中型牧草臭虫Tha​​sus necalifornicus中后腿武器的多种武器组件的变构和变异。尽管有理论认为男性武器分配更大，但我们发现女性的后腿长度比男性更多。尽管分配了 男性的后腿相对较宽，这可能会增加肌肉的面积。确实，男性后腿的挤压性能远大于女性后腿的挤压性能。最后，我们还描述了男性武器组件（突出的胫骨棘）中的异形体和变异，它们很可能被用来在积极的互动中损害竞争对手。总体而言，我们的发现突出了武器性二态性的复杂性，并证明了测量多个武器组件而不是单个度量的重要性。可能会在积极的互动中破坏竞争对手。总体而言，我们的发现突出了武器性二态性的复杂性，并证明了测量多个武器组件而不是单个度量的重要性。可能会在积极的互动中破坏竞争对手。总体而言，我们的发现突出了武器性二态性的复杂性，并证明了测量多个武器组件而不是单个度量的重要性。