It takes two peaks to tango: the importance of UVB and UVA in sexual signalling in jumping spiders. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Painting, Christina J.; Rajamohan, Ganison; Chen, Zhanqi; Zeng, Hua; Li, Daiqin
• Is Part Of: Animal behaviour. Volume 113(2016)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: colour -- ornamentation -- sex recognition -- sexual selection -- signalling; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.12.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3472

Abstract

Abstract : Colourful male ornaments such as the bright plumage of birds or flashy wing patterns of butterflies serve to highlight the fitness of the bearer and are subject to sexual selection via female mate choice and/or direct male–male competition. Males of many species have markings that reflect ultraviolet (UV: wavelengths 280–400 nm). Recently, studies have focused on the role of either UVA (315–400 nm) or UVB reflectance (280–315 nm) in intraspecific communication, but the specific importance of UVA and UVB colours in sexual signalling remains unexplored. Here, we address this using Cosmophasis umbratica, a sexually dimorphic jumping spider species (Salticidae) in which males possess both UVA and UVB reflective patches. By conducting a series of female mate choice and male–male interaction trials with manipulated UVA and UVB coloration of males, we provide the first evidence that both UV components are prerequisites for intraspecific communication. Furthermore, UVA but not UVB is specifically used by both sexes for sex recognition, as shown by distinct, unexpected changes in behaviour by spiders encountering conspecifics with UVA removed. Our study revealed the adaptive significance of the presence of dual UV peaks in male ornamentation. Highlights: We test the importance of dual UV peaks in Cosmophasis umbratica jumping spiders. Males have dual peaks in the UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–400 nm) range. Both UV signals are used during female mate choice and male–male interactions. UVA signals, but not UVB signals, are used in sex recognition. UVA removal led to distinct changes in behaviour during interactions.