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MATING BEHAVIOR AND MATE PREFERENCE IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA WOLF SPIDERS: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE

Norton, Sephanie S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998333694

Abstract Details

2001, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Biological Sciences.
Courtship behavior has been studied extensively in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata (Araneae: Lycosidae). While much research has tested predictions of sexual selection theory regarding male traits used in female mate choice, some critical assumptions about female behavior remain untested. Because variation in female mating behavior is critical in sexual selection, I studied several aspects of mate choice from the females' perspective: (1) Do females mate more than once? (2) Is female preference for male characters (leg tufts and visual courtship displays) repeatable? (3) Does female receptivity vary with age (post-adult)? Females were paired with multiple males, and re-mating by females was rare (6%) implying that females are primarily monogamous. Males in contrast seem to be polygamous, 62% of males that were paired with more than one virgin female mated more than once. Sexual conflict over optimal mating rate may be inevitable resulting in different mating strategies. To determine repeatability of ma le preference, females were shown videos of courting males (identical in behavior and size, but different tuft sizes) simultaneously in a choice chamber once/day over 4 days. The repeatability of female preference varied with the nature of the choice. Female preference for larger tufts was significant and repeatable (r = 0.65) when choosing between an average male and one with reduced tufts, but not when choosing between an average male and one with enlarged tufts. This may be an indication of a threshold trait. To examine variation in receptivity with age post-adulthood, I studied responses of females to a courting male video. Receptivity varied significantly with age post-adulthood: females were more aggressive and less receptive to video images of courting males in the first week, became significantly more receptive after 3 weeks, and less thereafter. Correlated changes in aggressive and receptivity behavior may suggest a physiological linkage. These studies demonstrate the importance of female focused dies of sexual selection, indicating that the female predominantly controls the mating system of S. ocreata wolf spiders.
George Uetz (Advisor)
SEXUAL SELECTION; MATE PERFORMANCE; SPIDERS

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Citations

  • Norton, S. S. (2001). MATING BEHAVIOR AND MATE PREFERENCE IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA WOLF SPIDERS: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998333694

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Norton, Sephanie. MATING BEHAVIOR AND MATE PREFERENCE IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA WOLF SPIDERS: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE. 2001. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998333694.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Norton, Sephanie. "MATING BEHAVIOR AND MATE PREFERENCE IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA WOLF SPIDERS: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998333694

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin998333694
© 2001, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.