A Spider Researcher, Pia Stålhandske, Knew That Males of Pisaura

Multiple Choice

A spider researcher, Pia Stålhandske, knew that males of Pisaura mirabilis offer their mates a nuptial gift-a prey item, such as a cricket-whose acceptance by the female is critical for male mating success. Males wrap their generally dark-colored food gifts in white silk. Stålhandske wondered if the males wrapped their gifts to make them look like the white, silk-covered egg sacs that mated females make and protect by holding them in their jaws until the spiderlings hatch.
What theory was Stålhandske using to explore this species' courtship behavior?

A) Sensory exploitation
B) Ritualization
C) Signal
D) Descent with modification