Contact sex signals on web and cuticle of Tegenaria atrica (Araneae, Agelenidae).

摘要

Qualitative changes in lipid content and composition were examined in the web and cuticle of Tegenaria atrica females in relation to sexual receptivity in the laboratory at 20±1deg C and LD 12:12. A total of 78 compounds was detected by gas chromatography in the cuticle extract and 50 in the web, with 28 identical compounds being present both on the spider silk and the cuticle of the female. The components were long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and esters. On the web, sexual receptivitywas correlated with changes in 11 polar compounds. On the cuticle, sexual receptivity was correlated with changes in 8 polar compounds and 26 hydrocarbons. Bioassays demonstrated that the methanol eluate of webs and females were involved in stimulating the sexual behaviour of males. It is concluded that qualitative and/or quantitative changes in hexadecanoic acid, octadecadienoic acid, octadecenoic acid, methyl palmitate, methyl octadecanoate, and n-tricosane could play a role in the contact sex signalsfrom web and cuticle of T. atrica.