Morphological and behavioral factors influencing mating success and cannibalism risk in the wolf spider Hogna helluo (Araneae, Lycosidae).
In the wolf spider, Hogna helluo, males exhibit elaborate pre-mating displays and sexual cannibalism is common. Various subcomponents of the male display may function to demonstrate body condition or genetic quality, to inhibit female predatory tendencies or to aid in species recognition. Using behavioral observation software (Observer® 5.1), we recorded thirty-five male and female behavioral and morphological traits of 95 pairs of satiated adult virgin male and female Hogna helluo wolf spiders to determine which traits are associated with successful mating and/or cannibalism inhibition. 54% (52/95) of all paired spiders mated with 13.6% (13/95) of males being cannibalized. We performed two multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses of our data (one for cannibalism predictors, one for mating predictors). We found that some pre-mating display elements were significantly associated with either mating success or cannibalism risk, but not both. Relatively few display elements were significant predictors of both cannibalism and mating success (e.g. total courtship intensity). Morphological traits tended to be better predictors of cannibalism risk rather than mating success. Our results suggest that not all display elements function to persuade the female to mate, but rather serve exclusively to reduce aggression and cannibalism risk. We suggest caution in assuming a sexual selection rather than a natural selection function of pre-mating displays wolf spiders.
