We ask whether males of the nuptial gift-giving spider Pisaura mirabilis exert preferences for mates varying in their reproductive potential based on chemical information during mate search. Males were presented with binary trails consisting of silk lines and substrate-borne chemicals deposited while females were walking, from females varying in a) body condition (high vs. low), b) developmental state (subadult vs. adult) and c) mating state (unmated vs. mated). If female chemical signaling co-varies with individual state, we expect males to choose trails of females that are a) in higher body condition, indicating higher fecundity, b) adults, which can successfully reproduce, and c) unmated, to avoid sperm competition. We show that female signaling is condition-dependent, with males being more likely to follow trails of higher body condition females, but not dependent on female mating state. Males also tended to prefer trails of adults over subadults. Choice did not depend on male individual body condition.

Experimental trials were run in the laboratory using wild-caught spiders. Males were presented with binary trails consisting of silk lines and substrate-borne chemicals deposited while females were walking (in a V-shaped corridor). Silk was deposited by females varying in a) body condition (high vs. low fed females), b) developmental state (subadult vs. adult females) and c) mating state (unmated vs. mated females).