Detection of conspecifics through olfaction in the Neotropical harvestman Mischonyx cuspidatus (Arachnida: Opiliones)

Author(s)

Dias, Jessica M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Segovia, Julio M. G. ^{[1, 2]} ; Willemart, Rodrigo H. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Artes Ciencias & Humanidades, Lab Ecol Sensorial & Comportamento Artropodes, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Programa Psgrad Zool, Inst Biociencias, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Psgrad Ecol & Evolucao, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY; v. 48, n. 1, p. 94-97, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Chemoreception is a main sensory modality in harvestmen but there has been no experimental evidence of attraction to conspecifics by olfaction excluding contact chemoreception as an alternative explanation. Here, using a Y-maze olfactometer we tested whether the harvestman Mischonyx cuspidatus (Roewer, 1913) is attracted to volatiles of conspecifics. We found that males were attracted to volatiles of other males, but not females. Females were not attracted to female's volatiles, but were marginally more often attracted to volatiles of males. Our results help understanding mechanisms in mating and social behavior in the order Opiliones. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/19191-3 - Natural history, behavioral syndromes and learning in Charinus asturius (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Charinidae)
• Grantee: Júlio do Monte Gonzalez de Segovia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate