New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Habitat-adapted communication in Trite planiceps, a New Zealand jumping
spider (Araneae, Salticidae)
PHILLIP W. TAYLOR*
ROBERT R. JACKSON
Department of Zoology
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
*Present address: Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76-100, Israel
Abstract The natural history and intraspecific interactions
of Trite planiceps, a common New Zealand jumping spider (Salticidae),
are described for the first time and discussed in relation to this salticid's
unusual microhabitat - the rolled-up leaves of New Zealand flax (Phormium
tenax) and similar plants. In many respects, T. planiceps' display
and mating behaviour resembles other salticids. Males have conditional
courtship and mating tactics, and the tactics used depend on the female's
maturity and location. If in the light, the male uses vision-based courtship
and mates in the open; if at a nest (inside a rolled-up leaf), the male uses
vibratory courtship and mates inside the rolled-up leaf; if the female is
immature but within c.10 days of maturing, the male cohabits until the female
matures and then mates inside the rolled-up leaf. Regardless of which mating
tactic is used, after males mount females there is a phase during which the
pair are in physical contact and communicate using tactile signals (`post-mount
courtship'). Other sex and age classes of T. planiceps also communicate
using visual displays when in light, away from rolled-up leaves, and also
sometimes employ tactile signals when at nests or during escalated contests in
the light. In addition to these typical salticid characteristics, T.
planiceps has some atypical display behaviours that appear to be adapted
for communicating in its unusual habitat. Even when no conspecific has been
encountered, T. planiceps males sometimes display when approaching
openings of rolled-up leaves occupied by conspecific females. These displays
closely resemble visual displays used while facing a conspecific in the light.
Later, while entering the cavites within rolled-up leaves and while moving
about inside simulated rolled-up leaves (glass tubes kept away from visible
light and observed using infra-red video), males and females use vibratory
displays, tapping the leaf surface with Legs I and vibrating their abdomens,
even when no conspecific has been encountered. Finally, when spiders interact
within simulated rolled-up leaves, they appear to communicate using both
tactile signals and vibratory signals that are transmitted through nests or
leaf surfaces. Many other salticids use nests as a medium for transmission of
vibratory signals. However, T. planiceps' use of the leaves forming its
nesting microhabitat for this function is unusual. This is the first study in
which infra-red video has been used to observe interactions between salticids
under conditions of total darkness for the spider, and also the first report of
a salticid possessing a display repertoire for use in darkness but away from
nests. We emphasise adaptation for typical habitat as a partial explanation for
species differences in salticid communication systems.
Keywords communication; displays; salticid; spiders; Trite
planiceps
Z98026
Received 3 July 1998, accepted 23 December 1998
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (5253K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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