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Miler K, Scharf I. Wind impairs pit trap construction and hunting success in a pit‐building predator. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Miler
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
- School of Zoology The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - I. Scharf
- School of Zoology The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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Davies MS, Hesselberg T. The Use of Tuning Forks for Studying Behavioural Responses in Orb Web Spiders. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040370. [PMID: 35447812 PMCID: PMC9027978 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spiders are common predators found in almost every type of environment, and are used as model organisms in studies ranging from communication and signalling to biochemical studies on their silk. Orb spiders are particularly interesting, as their web provides a cost-effective way to obtain information on their foraging behaviour. However, studies on short-term behaviours including prey capture and escape behaviours are rare and usually take place in artificial settings, such as laboratories. In this study, we tested a simple methodology using tuning forks that can be used consistently and reliably in the field. The two tuning forks are capable of producing attack (440 Hz) and escape (256 Hz) responses from the spiders. We also used a metal wire as a mechanical stimulus for comparison, which as predicted, was less reliable. We demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology by quantitatively investigating how the size of the spider and the size of its web affect predatory and escape response rates in the autumn spider, although no significant effects of either were found. However, our results confirm the ease by which this simple method can be used to conduct behavioural studies of orb spiders in the wild. Abstract Spiders and their webs are often used as model organisms to study a wide range of behaviours. However, these behavioural studies are often carried out in the laboratory, and the few field studies usually result in large amounts of video footage and subsequent labour-intensive data analysis. Thus, we aimed to devise a cost- and time-effective method for studying the behaviour of spiders in the field, using the now almost forgotten method of stimulating webs with tuning forks. Our study looked at the viability of using 256 Hz and 440 Hz tuning forks to stimulate, anti-predatory and predatory responses in the orb web spider Metellina segmentata, respectively. To assess the consistency of the behaviours produced, we compared these to direct mechanical stimulation with a metal wire. The results suggest that the tuning forks produce relatively consistent behaviours within and between two years in contrast to the metal wire. We furthermore found no significant effects of spider length or web area on spider reaction times. However, we found significant differences in reaction times between escape and prey capture behaviours, and between tuning forks and the wire. Thus, we demonstrated the potential of tuning forks to rapidly generate quantitative data in a field setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie S. Davies
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Correspondence:
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Dal Poggetto VF, Bosia F, Greco G, Pugno NM. Prey Impact Localization Enabled by Material and Structural Interaction in Spider Orb Webs. ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.202100282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius F. Dal Poggetto
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
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Mulder T, Mortimer B, Vollrath F. Functional flexibility in a spider's orb web. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb234070. [PMID: 33184053 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.234070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Web spiders rely on vibrations propagated via their web to identify, locate and capture entangled prey. Here, we experimentally tested the robustness of the orb weaver's predation strategy when webs are severely distorted and silk tensions are drastically altered throughout the web, a common occurrence in the wild. We assessed prey identification efficiency by comparing the spider's initial reaction times towards a fruit fly trapped in the web, we measured location efficiency by comparing times and number of tugging bouts performed, and we determined capture efficiency by comparing capture times. It emerged that spiders are capable of identifying, locating and capturing prey in distorted webs, albeit taking somewhat longer to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Mulder
- University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Zoology Research and Administration Building, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Beth Mortimer
- University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Zoology Research and Administration Building, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Fritz Vollrath
- University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Zoology Research and Administration Building, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
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Mazzia C, Capowiez Y, Marliac G, Josselin D, Pasquet A. Spinosad application in an apple orchard affects both the abundance of the spider Araneus diadematus and its web construction behaviour. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:389-397. [PMID: 32274624 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The principles of organic production are based on the respect of ecological processes including the promotion of natural enemies to control pests. However, as a last resort, some natural pesticides can be applied such as the pesticide spinosad. This neurotoxic insecticide is now widely used even in non-organic production systems. As generalist predators, spiders, and especially orb web spiders, which prey on flying pests, are thought to be useful for biocontrol. To study the effects of spinosad on orb web spiders, we applied spinosad (Success4®) at the normal application rate (96 g ha-1) in an orchard covered by nets where Araneus diadematus was very abundant. Its abundance (number of webs), location when present on the web and web characteristics were determined one day before (D - 1) and 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14 days after the application (D + 1, D + 3, D + 6, D + 10 and D + 14). After spinosad application, at D + 1 and D + 14, the number of A. diadematus webs decreased by 28% and 47%, respectively, compared to D - 1 where we observed on average 0.2 webs m-2. This decrease is likely due to a combination of direct pesticide effects, reduced prey availability and mechanical effects of the air blast sprayer. The short-term toxicity of spinosad was assessed using behavioural markers: (i) the percentage of abnormally located spiders (i.e. neither in the centre of the web nor hidden under the apple leaves) for 30 and 50% of the webs at D + 1 and D + 3 respectively, (ii) the percentage of incomplete webs (made only of the non-sticky spiral) in 35 and 75% of the cases at D + 1 and D + 3 respectively and (iii) one web characteristic, the mean parallelism between spirals, that was significantly reduced at D + 1 compared to D - 1. The study of the other web characteristics indicated that spiders did not modify the capture area but rather significantly decreased their investment in silk at D + 6 and D + 10 by reducing the number of radii and spiral turns. Overall, the application of spinosad (Success4®), representing a triple disturbance (mechanical, toxicological and alimentary), has a negative impact on the orb web spider A. diadematus and should thus be used with caution if growers want to promote the contribution of these spiders to natural biocontrol in their fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Mazzia
- Université d'Avignon, UMR 7263 CNRS-IRD, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et Ecologie, 301 rue Baruch de Spinoza, BP 21239, 84916, Avignon cedex 09, France
| | - Yvan Capowiez
- INRAE, UMR 1114, EMMAH INRAE/UAPV, Site Agroparc, 84914, Avignon cedex 09, France.
| | - Gaëlle Marliac
- INRAE, UMR 1114, EMMAH INRAE/UAPV, Site Agroparc, 84914, Avignon cedex 09, France
| | - Didier Josselin
- Université d'Avignon, Laboratoire d'Informatique d'Avignon, 39 chemin des Meinajaries, Agroparc BP 91228, 84911, Avignon cedex, France
| | - Alain Pasquet
- CNRS, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, UR AFPA, University of Lorraine, Bd Des Aiguillettes, B.P. 236, 54506, Vandoeuvre les Nancy - Cedex 09, France
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7
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Tew N, Hesselberg T. The Effect of Wind Exposure on the Web Characteristics of a Tetragnathid Orb Spider. JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOR 2017; 30:273-286. [PMID: 28680193 PMCID: PMC5488162 DOI: 10.1007/s10905-017-9618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies on spiders in their natural habitats are necessary for determining the full range of plasticity in their web-building behaviour. Plasticity in web design is hypothesised to be important for spiders building in habitats where environmental conditions cause considerable web damage. Here we compared web characteristics of the orb spider Metellina mengei (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) in two different forest habitats differing in their wind exposure. We found a notable lack of differences in web geometry, orientation and inclination between webs built along an exposed forest edge and those built inside the forest, despite marked differences in wind speed. This suggests that M. mengei did not exhibit web-building plasticity in response to wind in the field, contrasting with the findings of laboratory studies on other species of orb spiders. Instead, differences in prey capture and wind damage trade-offs between habitats may provide an explanation for our results, indicating that different species employ different strategies to cope with environmental constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Tew
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, SL5 7PY UK
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS UK
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Tourinho L, de Almeida Mendonça A, Japyassú HF. Ontogenetic variation in the predatory behavior of the orb-weaver spider Azilia histrio: detecting changes in behavioral organization. J ETHOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-016-0467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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10
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Vibrational Communication Networks: Eavesdropping and Biotic Noise. ANIMAL SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATION 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-43607-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Blamires SJ, Wu CC, Wu CL, Sheu HS, Tso IM. Uncovering Spider Silk Nanocrystalline Variations That Facilitate Wind-Induced Mechanical Property Changes. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:3484-90. [DOI: 10.1021/bm400803z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chia Wu
- Department
of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lin Wu
- Center
for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 30011, Taiwan
| | - Hwo-Shuenn Sheu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
- Department
of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Wu CC, Blamires SJ, Wu CL, Tso IM. Wind induces variations in spider web geometry and sticky spiral droplet volume. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:3342-9. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.083618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Summary
Trap building by animals is rare because it comes at substantial costs. Using materials with properties that vary across environments maintains trap functionality. The sticky spiral silks of spider orb webs are used to catch flying prey. Web geometry, accompanied by compensatory changes in silk properties, may change across environments to sustain web functionality. We exposed the spider Cyclosa mulmeinensis to wind to test if wind-induced changes in web geometry are accompanied by changes in aggregate silk droplet morphology, axial thread width or spiral stickiness. We compared: (i) web catching area, (ii) length of total silks, (iii) mesh height, (iv) number of radii, (v) aggregate droplet morphology and (vi) spiral thread stickiness, between webs made by spiders exposed to wind with those not exposed to wind. We interpreted co-variation in droplet morphology or spiral stickiness with web capture area, mesh height or spiral length as the silk properties functionally compensating for changes in web geometry to reduce wind drag. Wind-exposed C. mulmeinensis built webs with smaller capture areas, shorter capture spiral lengths, and more widely spaced capture spirals, resulting in the expenditure of less silk. Individuals that were exposed to wind also deposited larger droplets of sticky silk but the stickiness of the spiral threads remained unchanged. The larger droplets may be a product of greater investment in water, or low molecular weight compounds facilitating atmospheric water uptake. Either way droplet dehydration in wind is likely to be minimized.
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