Sexual cannibalism and mate choice decisions in wolf spiders: influence of male size and secondary sexual characters

Abstract

Sexual cannibalism may influence expression of elaborate male traits by either reinforcing or opposing sexual selection. Male Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz) wolf spiders (Lycosidae) have tufts of bristles on the first pair of legs that may function as a condition-indicating signal trait. We paired virgin and previously mated adult females with males under seminatural conditions (laboratory containers with leaf litter). For males encountering virgin females, probability of attempted premating cannibalism varied with male size, body condition, tuft size, fluctuating asymmetry of tufts (FA) and female size (larger females attacked smaller males and males in poor condition with smaller, more asymmetrical tufts). Probability of successful cannibalism varied with the relative size of both sexes and female body condition, but not male tuft size (smaller males were cannibalized by larger females in better condition). Males with larger tufts (relative to body size) were more likely to mate, but no other traits (male or female) were associated with mating success. Postmating cannibalism risk was associated with female size and age, and male size, body condition and tuft size (larger, older females cannibalized smaller males in poor condition with smaller tufts). For males paired with previously mated females, probability of cannibalism was influenced by size of both sexes and male tuft size (larger females cannibalized smaller males with smaller tufts). While no morphological characteristics (male or female) influenced the probability of second matings, recently matured females were more likely to mate twice. Results suggest that both mate choice and sexual cannibalism can impose reinforcing directional selection on male size and secondary sexual characters.