Information transfer through intraspecific interactions in a lycosid spider

Resum

The transfer of information during agonistic and sexual interactions between adults of Lycosa tarentula fascilventrls is studied. Information theory and correspondence analysis are applied to the intra-individual transition matrices. Information is quantitatively similar regardless of the context and the sex. Similarity arises mainly from the transition between motionless and approaching-signalling patterns. There are no pattems strongly predicting the immediate retreat of the sender and there is a marked predictability of females immediately attacking in their agonistic interactions. Results fit those expected if risk of intraspecific interactions in such a solitary predator was arnong the selective pressures leading to the evolution of communication systems.