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Gong D, Hua Z, Mao A, Chen L, Peng Y, Zhang S. Web decoration is important in mediating foraging site fidelity as well as prey supplement and predation risk in an orb‐web spider. OIKOS 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Deyong Gong
- Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Zeyuan Hua
- Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Aijia Mao
- Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Luyao Chen
- Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Yu Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Development and Environmental Response, Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Shichang Zhang
- Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Univ. Wuhan Hubei China
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2
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Aceves-Aparicio A, McLean DJ, Wild Z, Schneider JM, Herberstein ME. Novel decorating behaviour of silk retreats in a challenging habitat. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12839. [PMID: 35341059 PMCID: PMC8953501 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many ecological interactions of spiders with their potential prey and predators are affected by the visibility of their bodies and silk, especially in habitats with lower structural complexity that expose spiders. For instance, the surface of tree trunks harbours relatively limited structures to hide in and may expose residents to visual detection by prey and predators. Here we provide the first detailed description of the novel retreat building strategy of the tree trunk jumping spider Arasia mullion. Using fields surveys, we monitored and measured over 115 spiders and 554 silk retreats. These spiders build silk retreats on the exposed surface of tree trunks, where they remain as sedentary permanent residents. Furthermore, the spiders decorate the silk retreats with bark debris that they collect from the immediate surrounding. We discuss the role of silk decoration in the unusual sedentary behaviour of these spiders and the potential mechanisms that allow A. mullion to engineer their niche in a challenging habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,Institute of Zoology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany,Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Ökologie, Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Donald James McLean
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zoe Wild
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Marie E. Herberstein
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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3
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Robledo-Ospina LE, Rao D. Dangerous visions: a review of visual antipredator strategies in spiders. Evol Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-022-10156-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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4
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Yu L, Xu X, Li F, Zhou W, Zeng H, Tan EJ, Zhang S, Li D. From crypsis to masquerade: Ontogeny changes the colour defences of a crab spider hiding as bird droppings. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution School of Life Sciences Hubei University Wuhan China
| | - Xin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution School of Life Sciences Hubei University Wuhan China
- School of Life Sciences Hunan Normal University Changsha China
| | - Fan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution School of Life Sciences Hubei University Wuhan China
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore
- College of Life Sciences University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore
| | - Hua Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research Peking‐Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Peking University Beijing China
| | | | - Shichang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering & Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution School of Life Sciences Hubei University Wuhan China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore
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5
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Wang B, Yu L, Ma N, Zhang Z, Gong D, Liu R, Li D, Zhang S. Conspicuous cruciform silk decorations deflect avian predator attacks. Integr Zool 2021; 17:689-703. [PMID: 34958514 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although camouflage as an effective antipredator defence strategy is widespread across animals, highly conspicuous color patterning is not uncommon either. Many orb-web spiders adorn their webs with extra, bright white silk. These conspicuous decorations are hypothesized to deter predators by warning the presence of sticky webs, camouflaging spiders, acting as a decoy, or intimidating predators by their apparent size. The decorations may also deflect predator attacks from spiders. However, empirical evidence for this deflection function remains limited. Here we tested this hypothesis using the X-shaped silk cruciform decorations built by females of Argiope minuta. We employed visual modelling to quantify the conspicuousness of spiders and decorations from a perspective of avian predators. Then we determined actual predation risk on spiders using naïve chicks as predators. Spider bodies and decorations were conspicuous against natural backgrounds to the avian visual systems. Chicks attacked the spider main bodies significantly less frequently on the decorated webs than on the undecorated webs, thus reducing predation risk. When both spiders and decorations were present, chicks also attacked the spider main bodies and their legs or decorations, and not randomly: they attacked the legs or decorations sooner and more frequently than they attacked the main bodies, independence of the ratio of the surface area between the decoration and spider size. Despite the increase in detectability, incorporating a conspicuous cruciform decoration to the web effectively defends the spider by diverting the attack towards the decoration or leg, but not by camouflaging or intimidating, thus, supporting the deflection hypothesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjun Wang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Long Yu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543
| | - Nina Ma
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Zengtao Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Deyong Gong
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543
| | - Shichang Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
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6
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Wang B, Yu L, Ma N, Zhang Z, Liu Q, Fan W, Rong Y, Zhang S, Li D. Discoid decorations function to shield juvenile Argiope spiders from avian predator attacks. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Decorating behavior is common in various animal taxa and serves a variety of functions from camouflage to communication. One predominant function cited for decoration is to avoid predators. Conspicuous, disc-like (discoid) silk decorations spun by orb-web Argiope juvenile spiders are hypothesized, among others, to defend spiders against visual predators by concealing spider outlines on the web, deflecting attacks, shielding them from view, or masquerading as bird-droppings. However, the direct evidence is limited for a specific mechanism by which discoid decorations may deter predators. Here we evaluate the mechanisms by which discoid decorations may defend Argiope juveniles against naïve chicks. Using visual modeling, we show that avian predators are able to distinguish spiders from discoid decorations. Using chick predation experiments, we found that the naïve chicks readily pecked any objects, ruling out the possibility of their neophobia. Significantly more chicks attacked spiders when they were exposed to chicks, regardless of whether their webs had discoid decorations, but few chicks attacked spiders when they were behind the decorations. We also found that significantly few chicks attacked decorations when spiders were absent or behind the decorations. We thus conclude that discoid decorations function to deter avian predators by shielding the spider from view or distracting, not by deflecting attacks, concealing the spider’s outline, or masquerading as bird-droppings. This study sheds light on the study of other similar anti-predator strategies, in a wide range of spider species and other animals that use decorating strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjun Wang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Long Yu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Nina Ma
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zengtao Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenrui Fan
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Rong
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shichang Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Li Z, Agnarsson I, Peng Y, Liu J. Eight cobweb spider species from China building detritus-based, bell-shaped retreats (Araneae, Theridiidae). Zookeys 2021; 1055:95-121. [PMID: 36762170 PMCID: PMC9848907 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1055.67620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Eight cobweb spider species building a detritus-based, bell-shaped retreat from China are reported in the current paper, including five new Campanicola species and three known species: Campanicolaanguilliformis Li & Liu, sp. nov., Campanicolafalciformis Li & Liu, sp. nov., Campanicolaheteroidea Li & Liu, sp. nov., Campanicolatauricornis Li & Liu, sp. nov., Campanicolavolubilis Li & Liu, sp. nov., Campanicolacampanulata (Chen, 1993), Campanicolaferrumequina (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906), and Parasteatodaducta (Zhu, 1998). Among them, the male of Parasteatodaducta (Zhu, 1998) is described for the first time. We provide photographs of all species and descriptions for new species in the current paper. The type of bell-shaped retreat is rare in theridiid, and found only in four related genera. A natural next step upon completing this taxonomic study would be to analyse and understand the evolution of the retreat and related traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichang Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering of China, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, ChinaHubei UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Ingi Agnarsson
- The State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering of China, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, ChinaHubei UniversityWuhanChina,Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of VermontBurlingtonUnited States of America
| | - Yu Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering of China, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, ChinaHubei UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jie Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering of China, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, ChinaHubei UniversityWuhanChina
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Hou Z, Liu Y, Wei S, Wei C. Females prefer males producing a high-rate song with shorter timbal–stridulatory sound intervals in a cicada species. Curr Zool 2021; 68:103-112. [PMID: 35169633 PMCID: PMC8836340 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncovering mate choice and factors that lead to the choice are very important to understanding sexual selection in evolutionary change. Cicadas are known for their loud sounds produced by males using the timbals. However, males in certain cicada species emit 2 kinds of sounds using respectively timbals and stridulatory organs, and females may produce their own sounds to respond to males. What has never been considered is the mate choice in such cicada species. Here, we investigate the sexual selection and potential impact of predation pressure on mate choice in the cicada Subpsaltria yangi Chen. It possesses stridulatory sound-producing organs in both sexes in addition to the timbals in males. Results show that males producing calling songs with shorter timbal–stridulatory sound intervals and a higher call rate achieved greater mating success. No morphological traits were found to be correlated with mating success in both sexes, suggesting neither males nor females display mate preference for the opposite sex based on morphological traits. Males do not discriminate among responding females during mate searching, which may be due to the high energy costs associated with their unusual mate-seeking activity and the male-biased predation pressure. Females generally mate once but a minority of them re-mated after oviposition which, combined with the desirable acoustic traits of males, suggest females may maximize their reproductive success by choosing a high-quality male in the first place. This study contributes to our understanding mechanisms of sexual selection in cicadas and other insects suffering selective pressure from predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehai Hou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yunxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Songshan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Cong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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