Comparative study of releaser pheromones associated with the silk of jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae)

Nests and webs of female salticids released courtship from conspecific males (28 of 30 tested species). Males discriminated between conspecific and non‐conspecific female nests and webs (28 of 30 species), between conspecific male and female nests and webs (16 of 16), and between conspecific subadult male and female nests (9 of 9). Draglines of conspecific females released male courtship in only 4 of 20 tested species, 3 of these species being considered primitive. Nests and webs with altered structure and masses of dragline silk crudely resembling nests were effective releasers of courtship. Draglines and, except for two species, nests and webs, became ineffective at releasing courtship after a few days. Polar, but not non‐polar, solvents rendered nests ineffective, suggesting that a polar pheromone is bound to the silk. The evolutionary significance of pheromones is discussed.