Intraspecific identification and tolerance in the social-maternal behaviour of Coelotes terrestris (Araneae, Agelenidae)

In C. terrestris, we have shown that the reproductive state of the female exerts a major influence on its aptitude to tolerate the young and ensure maternal care. Thus, only pre-emergence females were found to be aggressive towards young homospecifics. The purpose of the present study is to show that female intolerance towards spiderlings during non-gregarious periods is not a manifestation of a predatory tendency. The experiments show: that C. terrestris females discriminate conspecific young from prey (i.e. cricket larvae) more of which they kill and ingest; that C. terrestris females also discriminate the young of their own species from alien ones; and that this discrimination is at least partially based on cuticular chemical stimuli during body contact. This information is relevant to the understanding of some aspects of social behaviour.