Presentation Details
Male-Female Dynamics and Syntactic Flexibility Influence Courtship in Habronattus pyrrithrix Spiders

Abhinava Jagan Madabhushi, Aaron Kuebel, Alexandra Spoelker, Cora Baldhoff, Gowthami Vidhya, Rianna Shome, Theodore Campbell, Areej Khan, Nathan I.Morehouse.

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Abstract


Animal communication is often bidirectional with complex feedback dynamics and syntax. This dynamic view suggests that responding to social feedback may be important. For example, in courtship interactions females might prefer males that modulate their courtship in response to female behavior (‘social skill’ hypothesis). Alternatively, females might prefer males with high overall courtship intensity, selecting against behavioral flexibility (‘courtship vigor’ hypothesis). Few studies have contrasted these two possibilities, especially in invertebrates. We tested these hypotheses by examining the temporal dynamics of male and female behavior during courtship in Habronattus pyrrithrix jumping spiders. We find that female visual attention is critical for courtship outcomes, and that males differ in how well they retain it. We then examine whether male courtship syntax and responsiveness to female behavior influence female attention and courtship outcomes. Our results suggest that male behavioral flexibility influences courtship success, supporting the ‘social skill’ hypothesis. Our research thus highlights the importance of behavioral flexibility during courtship.

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