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Sensory system plasticity in a visually specialized, nocturnal spider
Jay A Stafstrom1, Peter Michalik2, Eileen A Hebets1
1University of Nebraska - Lincoln, School of Biological Sciences, NE, USA.
Scientific Reports
|April 22, 2017
Summary
Male Deinopis spinosa spiders alter their vision, including eye size and brain processing, as they mature and shift from visually-guided foraging. This demonstrates significant sensory system plasticity linked to behavioral changes during development.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Animal behavior and environmental niches shape sensory system evolution.
- Intraspecific sensory system variation is known, but links to developmental behavioral shifts are less studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between behavioral changes, peripheral sensory structures, and brain processing regions.
- To examine sensory system plasticity in Deinopis spinosa spiders during a life-stage-specific behavioral shift.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of eye diameters and brain region volumes using micro-computed X-ray tomography.
- Examined differences across sex and life stages in Deinopis spinosa.
Main Results:
- Mature male Deinopis spinosa spiders exhibit altered peripheral visual morphology compared to juveniles and females.
- Significant differences were found in the relative brain investment for visual processing regions between life stages and sexes.
- These changes correlate with males ceasing visually-mediated foraging upon maturation.
Conclusions:
- Sensory system plasticity is evident when individuals undergo dramatic behavioral changes across life stages.
- This study highlights how altered reliance on specific sensory information can accompany entry into new behavioral niches.
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