Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
The ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria is a jumping spider (Salticidae) that recently arrived in North America from its native range in Eurasia. They mimic ants in appearance and behavior by moving their two front legs to imitate antennae. Our goal is to determine if these spiders exhibit consistent behavioral traits that can be identified as personality and if this personality relates to male display behavior and their success in courting. Many jumping spider species exhibit complex courtship displays to attract mates. When two M. formicaria males encounter each other they display by moving side-to-side while facing each other. Often this display ends with one of the spiders retreating while the other claims the new territory. We seek to determine if personality differences govern which spiders win in these duels. The spiders' behavior was assessed through a mirror assay, in which a spider was released into a runway with a mirror at the end and observed for 5 minutes. We measured the duration of time the male displayed toward the mirror; trials were repeated at least twice for each spider. In the field, males often establish shelters next to those of conspecifics which may not yet be mature. To determine whether males could distinguish between shelters belonging to males vs. females, we placed males in cages with an empty shelter and observed their behavior for 30 minutes. This study helps improve our understanding of the mating behavior of this species as well as the role of personality in its interactions.
Recommended Citation
Reid, Hannah, "203-Investigating Courtship, Display Behaviors, and Personality of Ant-Mimicking Spiders" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 55.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/55
203-Investigating Courtship, Display Behaviors, and Personality of Ant-Mimicking Spiders
The ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria is a jumping spider (Salticidae) that recently arrived in North America from its native range in Eurasia. They mimic ants in appearance and behavior by moving their two front legs to imitate antennae. Our goal is to determine if these spiders exhibit consistent behavioral traits that can be identified as personality and if this personality relates to male display behavior and their success in courting. Many jumping spider species exhibit complex courtship displays to attract mates. When two M. formicaria males encounter each other they display by moving side-to-side while facing each other. Often this display ends with one of the spiders retreating while the other claims the new territory. We seek to determine if personality differences govern which spiders win in these duels. The spiders' behavior was assessed through a mirror assay, in which a spider was released into a runway with a mirror at the end and observed for 5 minutes. We measured the duration of time the male displayed toward the mirror; trials were repeated at least twice for each spider. In the field, males often establish shelters next to those of conspecifics which may not yet be mature. To determine whether males could distinguish between shelters belonging to males vs. females, we placed males in cages with an empty shelter and observed their behavior for 30 minutes. This study helps improve our understanding of the mating behavior of this species as well as the role of personality in its interactions.