Effect of visual background complexity and light level on the detection of visual signals of male <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizocosa ocreata</Emphasis> wolf spiders by female conspecifics |
| |
Authors: | George W Uetz David L Clark J Andrew Roberts Meghan Rector |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA;(2) Department of Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI 48801, USA;(3) The Ohio State University at Newark, Newark, OH 43055, USA;(4) Department of EEOB, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA |
| |
Abstract: | For visual signaling to be effective, animal signals must be detected and discriminated by receivers, often against complex
visual backgrounds with varying light levels. Accordingly, in many species, conspicuous visual displays and ornaments have
evolved as a means to enhance background contrast and thereby increase the detection and discrimination of male courtship
signals by females. Using video playbacks, we tested the hypothesis that visual courtship displays and leg decorations of
male Schizocosa ocreata wolf spiders are more conspicuous against complex leaf-litter backgrounds. Video exemplars of courting males with manipulated
leg tufts were superimposed on different backgrounds (complex leaf litter in sun or shade, featureless gray background) and
presented to female spiders. Females were more likely to orient to males presented against lighter backgrounds (litter in
sun, gray) than the darker ones (litter—shade). Males with larger tufts were also more likely to be detected, as latency to
orient was shortest for enlarged and longest for removed tufts. Latency of females to approach was shorter against lighter
backgrounds, and approach latency was longest for males without tufts. Female receptivity scores were significantly greater
for males against lighter backgrounds, and males with larger tufts had higher scores. These results suggest that both complexity
and light level of display backgrounds affect the detection of male visual courtship signals by females and that aspects of
the male phenotype may increase chances of detection (and receptivity) against visually complex backgrounds. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|