The role of biological interactions in the evolution of animal behavior

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Some animal populations are composed of individuals preferring to settle in distinct habitats (polymorphism). Other are instead composed of individuals adjusting their behaviour to their habitat (plasticity). It is challenging to predict under what circumstances evolution should maintain polymorphism and plasticity because organisms affect each other's characteristics and fitness. My objectives are to test whether predator-prey interactions and competition drive the coevolution of anti-predatory, social, and foraging behaviours; to determine how interactions can favor the coevolution of preferences for certain habitats with plasticity; and to assess how competition affects the pace of evolutionary change. Western black widow spiders offer a rare opportunity to test my hypotheses experimentally. They spin three-dimensional webs protecting the spider from predatory wasps and capturing prey. My research team and I will analyse how the characteristics of webs shape spiders' vulnerability to predation, foraging success, and impact on insect prey communities. We will also monitor a subset of wild spiders each year to estimate the relationship between their fecundity, survival, and the characteristics of their webs. My research team will also identify the cues used by spiders to choose their habitat and assess the selection gradients acting on habitat preferences and plasticity. Work in the laboratory will quantify the genetic correlations among habitat preferences and plasticity. We will characterize how spiders adjust the structure of their webs in response to competition and assess the effects of these adjustments on foraging behaviour and diet. We will also quantify how competition affects the heritability of web structure. This program integrates research on animal behaviour, ecology, and evolution to generate insights into why some populations exhibit a stronger polymorphism or plasticity than others. It will thus provide several insights on biological evolution that will be important for behavioural and community ecologists, and evolutionary biologists.