DRAGLINE-MEDIATED SEX RECOGNITION IN 2 SPECIES OF JUMPING SPIDERS (ARANEAE, SALTICIDAE), PORTIA-LABIATA AND P-FIMBRIATA

Portia labiata and P. fimbriata were given access to draglined and unt reated blotting paper, and the amount of time spent on each was record ed. Males of both species spent more time on blotting paper with fresh draglines from conspecific females than on either untreated blotting paper or on blotting paper with fresh draglines from conspecific males . Attraction appears to be mediated by phermones because, when 1-week- old draglines were used, males showed no tendency to react differently to draglined and untreated blotting paper. Portia females did not dis criminate between treated and untreated blotting paper. This finding s uggests that males are more active than females in mate-searching beha viour.