Sexually selected UV signals in the tropical ornate jumping spider, Cosmophasis umbratica may incur costs from predation. Issue 4 (28th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bulbert, Matthew W.; O'Hanlon, James C.; Zappettini, Shane; Zhang, Shichang; Li, Daiqin
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 5:Issue 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 914
• Page End: 920
• Publication Date: 2015-01-28
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1419
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ece31419-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Sexually selected ornaments and signals are costly to maintain if they are maladaptive in nonreproductive contexts. The jumping spider <italic>Cosmophasis umbratica</italic> exhibits distinct sexual dichromatism with males displaying elaborate UV body markings that signal male quality. Female <italic>C. umbratica</italic> respond favorably to UV‐reflecting males and ignore males that have their UV masked. However, <italic>Portia labiata</italic>, a UV‐sensitive spider‐eating specialist and a natural predator of <italic>C. umbratica</italic>, is known to use UV reflectance as a cue when hunting prey. We investigated the cost of these UV signals in <italic>C. umbratica</italic> in terms of their predation risk. Under experimental conditions, three choice scenarios were presented to <italic>P. labiata</italic> individuals. Choices by <italic>P. labiata</italic> were made between male <italic>C. umbratica</italic> with and without the UV signal; a UV‐reflecting male and non‐UV‐reflecting female; and a UV‐masked male and female. The presence and absence of UV signals was manipulated using an optical filter. <italic>Portia labiata</italic> exhibited a strong bias toward UV+ individuals. These results suggest the sexually selected trait of UV reflectance increases the visibility of males to UV‐sensitive predators. The extent of this male‐specific UV signal then is potentially moderated by predation pressure. Interestingly though, <italic>P. labiata</italic> still preferred males to females irrespective of whether UV reflectance was present or not. This suggests <italic>P. labiata</italic> can switch cues when conditions to detect UV reflectance are not optimal.</p> </abstract>