UVB-based mate-choice cues used by females of the jumping spider Phintella vittata

Curr Biol. 2008 May 6;18(9):699-703. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.04.020.

Abstract

Although there are numerous examples of animals having photoreceptors sensitive to UVA (315-400 nm) [1] and relying on UVA-based mate-choice cues [2-5], here we provide the first evidence of an animal using UVB (280-315 nm) for intraspecific communication. An earlier study showed that Phintella vittata, a jumping spider (Salticidae) from China, reflects UVB [6]. By performing six series of binary mate-choice experiments in which we varied lighting conditions with filters (UVB+ [no filter] versus UVB-, UVB+ versus ND1, UVB+ versus ND2, UVB- versus ND1, UVB- versus ND2, and UVB- versus UVA-), we show that significantly more UVB + males than UVB- males are chosen by females as preferred mates. Female preference for UVB-reflective males is not affected by differences in brightness or by UVA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Communication*
  • Animals
  • Cues
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mating Preference, Animal / physiology*
  • Spiders / physiology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*