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Degree

Master of Science, Miami University, Biological Sciences, 2005.

Abstract

Organisms constantly make behavioral decisions regarding reproduction and predator avoidance. To aid this process, males can benefit by detecting high-quality females and by using cues in the environment. Male wolf spiders (Pardosa milvina) adjusted their activity in response to chemical/tactile cues from female Pardosa. When confronted with two females simultaneously, males showed a stronger activity response to cues from females with high than low-quality body conditions. Overall, males displayed a stronger response to the cues deposited by a predator as compared to cues deposited by female Pardosa. When confronted with female and predator cues simultaneously, the graded behavioral response to cues from the high and low-quality females disappeared. Courtship and copulation behaviors of males were affected by female cue presence and body condition. However, predator cues did not affect these behaviors. These results suggest that multiple factors may affect the reproductive decision-making processes of Pardosa.

Subject Headings

Biology, Zoology

Keywords

Pardosa milvina; predator cue; female cue; female body condition; wolf spider

Advisor

Ann Rypstra

Pages

69p.

Document number: miami1114719172
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1114719172

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