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Behavioral research on wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae): Assessing common assumptions and methods

Rutledge, Jenai M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1281988864

Abstract Details

2010, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Ecological, behavioral, and evolutionary theory and research is based on a network of assumptions that simplify the otherwise complex physical and natural systems of life. Assumptions are a necessary part of conducting research because they provide a framework from which predictions about these systems can be made and tested through the interpretation of statistical analyses. However, the validity of conclusions drawn from any empirical study is only as good as the assumptions upon which the research design and interpretations were made. The research presented here addresses and tests a number of specific assumptions commonly made in research studies conducted on invertebrate animals, as applied to Schizocosa wolf spiders, an emerging animal model in animal behavior. My research focuses on two species, S. ocreata and S. rovneri well-known in studies of communication and mate choice. In two studies, I examined the traditional assumption that in invertebrates, flexibility of female mate choice behavior is minimal. From the first study it is clear that behavioral plasticity of these invertebrate animals in response to experience is greater than previous recognized. Exposure of female S. rovneri as juveniles to altered male phenotypes resulted in avoidance of familiar and preference for novel phenotypes as adults. However, these studies also show that certain types of experience (chemical vs. visual cues) may affect female mate preferences more than others, and that manipulation of male phenotypes (e.g., with nail polish) can sometimes have unintended consequences. In a second study with both S, ocreata and S. rovneri, the mechanisms that underlie species-level mate recognition (e.g., female mate preference) are more rigidly defined and do not appear to be influenced by social experience. A third study examined how well traditional measurements of body condition of spiders are able to separate out differences in feeding and/or hydration histories. This study provides evidence that S. ocreata may be able to modulate their apparent body condition (calculated by traditional body condition measures) when faced with short-term food and/or water deprivation. Specifically, the morphological body condition of spiders deprived of food or water remained remarkably similar for up to eight days. This suggests that current measures of body condition may not provide an accurate estimate of current body condition. Reults of these studies suggest that in designing experiments, the assumptions underlying commonplace experimental methods/techniques often go unrecognized, and if assumptions are inaccurate or wrongly applied, the validity of research can be jeopardized. It is therefore important that assumptions be evaluated in the light of novel data to ensure they are logical and current.
George Uetz, PhD (Committee Chair)
Kenneth Petren, PhD (Committee Member)
Eric Maurer, PhD (Committee Member)
Elke Buschbeck, PhD (Committee Member)
Ann Rypstra, PhD (Committee Member)
158 p.
Ecology
animal behavior; spiders; sexual selection; body condition; behavioral plasticity; diet

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rutledge, J. M. (2010). Behavioral research on wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae): Assessing common assumptions and methods [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1281988864

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rutledge, Jenai. Behavioral research on wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae): Assessing common assumptions and methods. 2010. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1281988864.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rutledge, Jenai. "Behavioral research on wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae): Assessing common assumptions and methods." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1281988864

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1281988864
534
© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.