20 - Jumping spider mating strategies: sex among cannibals in and out of webs

Summary

Who can fathom the mind of a spider

Keith McKeown (1952)

ABSTRACT

We discuss two pivotal components of salticid mating systems. The first is complexity of behavior during salticid intraspecific interactions, characterized by conditional strategies composed of distinctly different tactics and, within the context of each tactic, large repertoires of distinctive displays combined in highly variable sequences. Variability in the display repertoire of male salticids is probably the main focus of female choice. The second is the relationship of mating strategies to predation, antipredator protection and other processes in the animal's life. During conspecific interactions, there are conflicting interests because of the potential for cannibalism, and a salticid may be a potential mate or prey and rival or predator. We suggest that during these interactions, salticids may orchestrate a careful balance between stimuli that provoke (e.g. sensory exploitation) and stimuli that inhibit predatory attacks from each other. We draw parallels between salticid intraspecific interactions and the araneophagic predatory strategy of Portia, a genus of salticids that practice aggressive mimicry. In both systems, signaling may best be envisaged as a way of achieving dynamic fine control of another animal's behavior.

INTRODUCTION

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are the largest family of spiders (over 4000 described species (Coddington and Levi 1991)); they are well known for excellent vision (Land 1969a,b; Blest et al 1990) and elaborate visual courtship displays (Crane 1949). Our goal in this chapter is to develop a fresh perspective on salticid mating strategies.