Condition dependence of male display coloration in a jumping spider (Habronattus pyrrithrix) |
| |
Authors: | Lisa A Taylor David L Clark and Kevin J McGraw |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, PO Box 874601, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;(2) Department of Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI 48801, USA |
| |
Abstract: | In many animals, conspicuous coloration functions as a quality signal. Indicator models predict that such colors should be
variable and condition dependent. In Habronattus pyrrithrix jumping spiders, females are inconspicuously colored, while males display brilliant red faces, green legs, and white pedipalps
during courtship. We tested the predictions of the indicator model in a field study and found that male body condition was
positively correlated with the size, hue, and red chroma of a male’s facial patch and negatively correlated with the brightness
of his green legs. These traits were more condition dependent than non-display colors. We then tested a dietary mechanism
for condition dependence using two experiments. To understand how juvenile diet affects the development of coloration, we
reared juvenile spiders on high- and low-quality diets and measured coloration at maturity. To understand how adult diet affects
the maintenance of coloration, we fed wild-caught adults with high- or low-quality diets and compared their coloration after
45 days. In the first experiment, males fed high-quality diet had redder faces, suggesting that condition dependence is mediated
by juvenile diet. In the second experiment, red coloration did not differ between treatments, suggesting that adult diet is
not important for maintaining the color after it is produced at maturity. Diet had no effect on green coloration in either
experiment. Our results show different degrees of condition dependence for male display colors. Because red is dependent on
juvenile diet, it may signal health or foraging ability. We discuss evidence that green coloration is age dependent and alternatives
to indicator models for colorful displays in jumping spiders. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|