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The Effects of Habitat on the Courtship Signal Active Space of Two Wolf Spiders

Pickett, Emily E
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1522417384844508

Abstract Details

2018, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Habitat structure can influence signaling efficacy, resulting in communication differences between species. Two closely related species, Schizocosa ocreata and S. rovneri, are similar in morphology, yet differ in courtship behaviors and microhabitat. Male S. ocreata use visual and vibratory courtship signals and occupy complex deciduous forest litter, whereas S. rovneri use higher amplitude vibratory signals and are found in the flattened litter of the floodplain. While previous studies have quantified the potential courtship signal active space (transmission distance) for S. ocreata in its native habitat, there is currently little data characterizing the active space for signals of S. rovneri. Therefore, this study sought to create a comprehensive comparison of the courtship signal active space of S. ocreata and S. rovneri to determine the impact of microhabitat choice on the efficacy of communication for these spiders. In their native field sites and in laboratory mesocosms representing these environments, no difference in potential active space (signal vanishing point) was found between species. This suggests that the different signaling strategies of these two species result in equal communication distance within the structure of their native microhabitat. However, in a laboratory reciprocal transplant, S. ocreata was found to have a significantly shorter orientation latency and longer orientation distance compared to S. rovneri regardless of mesocosm type, supporting the hypothesis that the multi-modal signals of S. ocreata act to increase courtship active space. Furthermore, the mating success of S. ocreata was not found to be impacted by substrate type, yet S. rovneri were seen to have higher mating success on substrates that better conduct vibrations. This study suggests that the signaling strategies of these species are influenced by microhabitat structure and may provide insight into how local environments can lead to differences in communication between species.
George Uetz, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Elke Buschbeck, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Eric Maurer, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
61 p.
Biology
Schizocosa ocreata; Schizocosa rovneri; communication; active space

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pickett, E. E. (2018). The Effects of Habitat on the Courtship Signal Active Space of Two Wolf Spiders [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1522417384844508

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pickett, Emily. The Effects of Habitat on the Courtship Signal Active Space of Two Wolf Spiders. 2018. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1522417384844508.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pickett, Emily. "The Effects of Habitat on the Courtship Signal Active Space of Two Wolf Spiders." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1522417384844508

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1522417384844508
260
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.