Copulation in the lycosid spider Schizocosa saltatrix (Hentz): An analysis of palpal insertion patterns

Copulation in this wolf spider species was characterized by a pattern which involved successive isertions of one palp before a shift was made to the opposite palp. The observed pattern is probably characteristic for the genus. The duration of mating and number of insertions were relatively great in comparison with other lycosids. In all cases, insertion duration was positively linearly correlated with the numerical sequence of insertion. Fatigue was hypothesized to be the underlying factor which produced the incremental change in insertion duration. Partial or complete independence of the control mechanism of each palp was suggested by the differences in certain aspects of insertion between the right and left palps in some of the males.