(Continued from page 6)

arthropods, but it does happen. One group where this phenomenon occurs is within South American members of the Suborder Laniatores in the Order Opiliones…in plain English, these critters are known as Daddy long legs (actually, harvestmen is a more appropriate common name for this group, but Daddy long legs fits this topic better).
• In general terms, paternal care may be selected for in the animal world when this behavior increases the likelihood of female reproductive success. There are a few scenarios when it makes a lot of sense to be a stay-at-home dad.
• For a father insect to take responsibility for the offspring, it helps a lot if he is sure that the youngsters are his own and not from a so-to-speak "insect milkman". To do this, Daddy long leg males can become overbearing husbands, guarding the female and encouraging her to lay abundant eggs as soon after copulation as possible.
• Another situation that favors paternal care is when motherhood becomes so bur

(Continued on page 8)