Evidence of exploitative competition among young stages of the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata

Oecologia ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Wise ◽  
James D. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Exploitative Competition ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata

scholarly journals Male courtship signal modality and female mate preference in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata: results of digital multimodal playback studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 705-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C Kozak ◽  
George W Uetz
Keyword(s):  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata ◽  
Multimodal Signals ◽  
Courtship Signal ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Courtship Signals ◽  
Male Signals ◽  
Vibratory Signals

Abstract Females must be able to perceive and assess male signals, especially when they occur simultaneously with those of other males. Previous studies show female Schizocosa ocreata wolf spiders display receptivity to isolated visual or vibratory courtship signals, but increased receptivity to multimodal courtship. It is unknown whether this is true when females are presented with a choice between simultaneous multimodal and isolated unimodal male courtship. We used digital playback to present females with a choice simulating simultaneous male courtship in different sensory modes without variation in information content: 1) isolated unimodal visual versus vibratory signals; 2) multimodal versus vibratory signals; and 3) multimodal versus visual signals. When choosing between isolated unimodal signals (visual or vibratory), there were no significant differences in orientation latency and number of orientations, approaches or receptive displays directed to either signal. When given a choice between multimodal versus vibratory-only male courtship signals, females were more likely to orient to the multimodal stimulus, and directed significantly more orients, approaches and receptivity behaviors to the multimodal signal. When presented with a choice between multimodal and visual-only signals, there were significantly more orients and approaches to the multimodal signal, but no significant difference in female receptivity. Results suggest that signal modes are redundant and equivalent in terms of qualitative responses, but when combined, multimodal signals quantitatively enhance detection and/or reception. This study confirms the value of testing preference behavior using a choice paradigm, as female preferences may depend on the context (e.g., environmental context and social context) in which they are presented with male signals.

Impacts of leg loss and regeneration on body condition, growth, and development time in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
pp. 823-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Wrinn ◽  
G.W. Uetz
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Limb Loss ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Subsequent Regeneration

Autotomy (self-amputation) of appendages and subsequent regeneration is common to many taxa. These processes are known to affect foraging abilities, growth, and development time in many taxa. However, little is known about their effects in arachnids. We addressed the effects of autotomy and regeneration on body condition, growth (size and mass), and development time (molt interval) for the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) in the field and laboratory. Frequency of autotomy in the field was high (11%–19%). Field-caught individuals with missing or regenerating legs had significantly lower body size, mass, and condition. To test the effects of regeneration on size, mass, and molt interval in the laboratory, we induced autotomy of one or both forelegs. Spiders regenerating two legs had reduced molt intervals, were smaller, and weighed less than spiders that were intact or regenerating one leg. Field-caught spiders that had undergone autotomy and regeneration in the laboratory exhibited reduced size, mass, and molt interval. In contrast, laboratory-reared spiders exhibited increased molt intervals but no difference in mass after regeneration. These results reveal that limb loss via autotomy is common (but potentially costly) in S. ocreata, and that environmentally mediated trade-offs between growth and development time may occur during regeneration.

Absence of social facilitation of courtship in the wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz) (Araneae: Lycosidae)

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Andrew Roberts ◽  
Emily Galbraith ◽  
Jenai Milliser ◽  
Phillip W. Taylor ◽  
George W. Uetz
Keyword(s):  
Social Facilitation ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata

scholarly journals Dehydration resistance and tolerance in the brush-legged wolf spider (Schizocosa ocreata): a comparison of survivorship, critical body water content, and water-loss rates between sexes

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha K. Herrmann ◽  
J. Andrew Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata ◽  
Eastern Deciduous Forests ◽  
Loss Rates

Small-bodied terrestrial animals like spiders face challenges maintaining water reserves essential for homeostasis. They may experience dry microclimates and (or) seasonal variation in water availability, so dehydration is a common stressor that may help explain movement, foraging, and other behaviors. This study examines aspects of dehydration resistance and tolerance in the brush-legged wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) (Araneae: Lycosidae), commonly found in the leaf litter of eastern deciduous forests of North America. Sexes differ in morphology, physiology, reproductive strategy, and life history, likely resulting in divergent abilities to resist and tolerate dehydration. We used humidity-controlled chambers to examine relative survivorship by sex under varying humidity regimes, water-loss rates, body water content, and critical water mass. Spiders survived significantly longer in higher humidity regimes (≥50% RH). Females had significantly better survivorship overall, lower body-loss rates, and lower critical mass, though males had greater percent body water content, indicating that females have greater dehydration resistance and tolerance than males. Although sex-based differences in survival time and water-loss rates are likely an effect of relative body mass, females should be more successful than males during periods of episodic drought and are likely selected to survive later in the season while caring for offspring.

Flexibility in the multi-modal courtship of a wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip W. Taylor ◽  
J. Andrew Roberts ◽  
George W. Uetz
Keyword(s):  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Schizocosa Ocreata
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document