Geographical differences in information use and plasticity of male mating decisions in a sexually cannibalistic spider

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Behavioral plasticity allows rapid responses to novel conditions as for example caused by global change. However, plastic responses require decisions that adequately consider the individual state when using information extracted from the environment. Such decision-making processes are required when environmental uncertainty is so large that hard-wired solutions are unsuitable. Well known contexts in which decision making and information use reduce environmental uncertainty are, predator avoidance, foraging and mating. Relatively few studies have investigated flexible decision-making processes in a mating context while also considering geographic differences in plasticity and the signals or cues underlying the decision process. We propose to address these questions using a natural model system, which is experimentally accessibly and has a distribution that covers several environmental conditions. The orb-web spider Argiope bruennichi has recently expanded its range and successfully colonized new habitats. Phylogeography, population genetics, the mating system and behavior of the species are well known. Differences in phenology across the species range result in different spatial and temporal selection regimes relevant to tractable differences in optimal mating strategies of males. Males of A. bruennichi are adapted to very low mating rates and follow mono- or bigynous mating strategies that they plastically and adaptively adjust to prevailing conditions. The proposed project will integrate several levels of research and shall provide novel insights into (1) geographical differences in mating strategies, mate quality thresholds and the underlying phenotypic variation; (2) the differential use of personal information underlying mating and life-history decisions and (3) the potential relevance of genotype by environment interactions for the expression of life-history traits responsible for selection regimes and fitness returns of mating strategies.