New research reveals that male wolf spiders engage in displays of rubbing their appendages, quivering their abdomens and tapping their legs to curry favor with females.
The rhythm in the skin
By analyzing the courtship displays of 44 males of the species Schizocosa stridulansscientists from theuniversity of nebraska found that the nine individuals who successfully mated with the females produced more complex vibrational signals than the 35 who were rejected. It also turned out that the prime cites were more likely to use their sophisticated choreographies to seduce larger females, usually resulting in larger and more robust offspring.
” We wanted to understand why males use complex signals, which take a lot of energy and time and are also more likely to attract predators. “, Explain Noori Choico-author of the study, published in the journal Biology Letters.
The team found that this complexity gradually increased as courtship progressed, lasting up to 45 minutes, suggesting that males were likely responding to signs of interest from females.
” Signal transmitters are particularly attentive to their environment as well as to the manifestations of the recipients, to which they adapt “, valued Eileen Hebets, lead author of the study. ” If we see this in many other groups of animals, observing such sophisticated behaviors in spiders was truly surprising.. »
“Many studies show that animals prefer, to some extent, novelty”
Observations like these suggest that females aren’t necessarily looking for the biggest, loudest, or strongest males, but those who will prove to be athletic enough to coordinate all of these different movements, or cues. It is also likely that they are more adept at processing complex signals, or that they like to be surprised.
” Many studies show that animals prefer, to some extent, novelty “, highlighted Hebets. ” This increasing complexity could be one form of this, with males constantly evolving their choreography to keep females interested.. »
According to the study authors, further research will be needed to elucidate the structure and functions of this fascinating behavior, and thus better understand the sexual dynamics between male and female wolf spiders.
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