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. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.