A test for correlations among fitness-linked behavioural traits in the spider Agelenopsis aperta (Araneae, Agelenidae)

The spider Agelenopsis aperta, exhibits a suite of behavioural traits that are functionally dissimilar but which all potentially could be influenced by inherent levels of 'fear' and 'aggression': agonistic behaviour, territory size, foraging behaviour, and anti-predatory behaviour. Previous findings suggest that in A. aperta, agonistic behaviour and territory size are phenotypically correlated at both the individual and population levels, as are foraging and anti-predator behaviour patterns. In this study first anti-predatory and then agonistic trials were completed on two sets of spiders (wild and laboratory-reared F1 generation) from each of two populations (desert grassland and riparian) to test for an inter-connection between these two sets of traits. Spider scores in the anti-predatory fear test were an accurate predictor of the outcome of contests between individuals that were matched for weight but that had different fear scores. This entire set of traits may have the same underlying genetic basis as pleiotropic effects of the same genes. However, quantitative genetic studies are required to test this hypothesis.