Study of a Stridulatory Apparatus in Pardosa fulvipes (Collett) (Araneae, Lycosidae) by Scanning Electron Microscopy

The adult Pardosa fulvipes male has a stridulatory apparatus in which the file is the hairless striated surface of the book lung opercula, and the scraper part is formed by several stout denticulated hairs re-trolaterally on the fourth coxae and trochanters. The microscuipture of th; opsrcula and specialized hairs in the adult male are studied with the aid of scanning electron microscope and compared with homologous structures in the adult female and immatures. The microscuipture of the book lung opercula is also compared with that of related Pardosa species. A gradual transformation of the opercular microscuipture occurs in both male and female P. fulvipes leading to the species-specific sculpture in the adults. The behavioural prerequisites for stridulation in this species are discussed. P. fulvipes is hitherto the only lycosid known to have a stridulatory apparatus.