Data from: Female-limited colour polymorphism in the crab spider Synema globosum (Araneae: Thomisidae)

Conspicuous colour variation, caused by the influence of the environment
on phenotype or by genetic differences among individuals, is frequently
observed in nature. If genetic in origin, colour variation can facilitate
the study of mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of true
polymorphisms. Here we describe, for the first time, the female-limited
colour polymorphism in the crab spider, Synema globosum. We looked for
associations between life-history traits and female colour morph, and
identified potential agents of selection that could influence the
maintenance of the polymorphism. Our results showed that the polymorphism
is discrete and heritable, and that differences in colour among morphs are
likely to be detectable by honeybees, birds, and conspecifics. We found
limited evidence of differences among morphs in morphology and ecology,
and found no differences in components of reproduction. Based on the lines
of evidence obtained in this study, we suggest that selection exerted by
prey, predators, and/or mates is likely to influence the maintenance of
the polymorphism observed in S. globosum.