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Female responses to male chemical cues in Pardosa milvina wolf spiders

Stanley, Michael T
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6472-2542
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1531829831940677

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Miami University, Biology.
Females often use male signals and cues to locate potential mates and assess their quality. These male signals can be transmitted across one or multiple signaling modalities. In the wolf spider Pardosa milvina, males use a visual courtship display to attract female attention and encourage sexual receptivity. However, whether or not other signaling modalities influence female mate choice in this species is poorly understood. I hypothesized that male chemical cues may play a role in female mate choice in addition to visual cues. I tested females for their ability to detect and assess males based on their chemical cues, both isolated and when combined with a visual signal. Females did not change their activity in the presence of isolated male chemical cues. When presented with males either surrounded by or lacking their chemical cues, I found that while male courtship played a major role in female detection and attraction, females tended to spend less time near males when their chemical cues were present. This research suggests that while male courtship displays are necessary and sufficient for mate attraction, chemical signals may play a limited role by helping females more quickly assess a male’s visual display.
Ann Rypstra, PhD (Advisor)
Nancy Solomon, PhD (Committee Member)
Brian Keane, PhD (Committee Member)
53 p.
Animals; Biology; Zoology
sexual selection; mate choice; multimodal signal; wolf spider; chemical cue; chemotactile cue

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stanley, M. T. (2018). Female responses to male chemical cues in Pardosa milvina wolf spiders [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1531829831940677

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stanley, Michael. Female responses to male chemical cues in Pardosa milvina wolf spiders. 2018. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1531829831940677.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stanley, Michael. "Female responses to male chemical cues in Pardosa milvina wolf spiders." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1531829831940677

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1531829831940677
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.