Relationship between prey consumption and colony size in an orb spider
1Department of Zoology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
In orb spiders (Philoponella semiplumosa), larger colonies consume more prey per juvenile. However, adult female prey consumption and reproduction are highest in intermediate-sized colonies, suggesting coloniality directly impacts resource use.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Arachnology
Background:
- Coloniality in social spiders can influence individual foraging success and reproductive output.
- Understanding the relationship between colony size and resource acquisition is crucial for social insect ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how colony size affects prey consumption in the orb spider, Philoponella semiplumosa.
- To determine if prey availability or coloniality is the primary driver of prey consumption patterns.
Main Methods:
- Observing unmanipulated colonies of Philoponella semiplumosa.
- Conducting experiments involving colony size reduction and prey supplementation.
- Measuring prey biomass per spider and adult female cephalothorax width.
Main Results:
- Prey biomass per juvenile spider increased with colony size.
- Prey biomass per adult female and egg sac production peaked in intermediate-sized colonies.
- Colony size influenced prey consumption independently of local aerial-arthropod abundance.
Conclusions:
- Prey consumption in Philoponella semiplumosa is directly influenced by colonial living, not solely by prey availability.
- Optimal colony size for individual resource acquisition and reproduction may vary between life stages (juveniles vs. adults).
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