Mutual mate assessment in wolf spiders: differences in the cues used by males and females

When males engage in conspicuous courtship displays, it seems obvious that females would use characteristics of that display in mating decisions. However, males must also have a way to identify and evaluate females prior to engaging in what might be a costly mating ritual. Female wolf spiders of the species Pardosa milvina (Araneae; Lycosidae) are known to signal males using chemical cues. In a laboratory study we attempted to determine the nature of the cues used by males and females in mate selection. Specifically we determined whether males could detect the mating status of the female and if chemotactile cues from the female played a role in that process. In addition, we quantified conspicuous aspects of male courtship (leg raises and body shakes) to determine if courtship intensity was related to female choice. Although repeated mating occurred in our studies, males were more likely to court and mate with virgin females. The presence of substrate-borne cues deposited by the females was important to the ability of the male to discriminate between mated and virgin females. The conspicuous behaviors of males during courtship, body shakes and leg raises, were used by females in selecting a male. Thus males and females use different information to assess the suitability of a potential mate. Females signal males using chemotactile cues and use the visual display of the males to assess his quality.