Field Observations of Body Temperature for the Wolf Spider, Rabidosa rabida (Araneae: Lycosidae), Differ From...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Physiology
• Arachnology

Background:

• Temperature significantly influences ectotherm ecology, behavior, and physiology.
• Understanding thermal ecology is crucial for predicting species responses to environmental change.
• Previous laboratory studies suggested active thermoregulation in *Rabidosa rabida*.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the thermal ecology of *Rabidosa rabida* in its natural environment.
• To compare field-observed body temperatures with laboratory-derived thermal preferences and performance limits.
• To determine if *R. rabida* actively thermoregulates or thermoconforms.

Main Methods:

• Field body temperature measurements of adult *Rabidosa rabida* using a FLIR camera (diurnal and nocturnal).
• Comparison of field temperatures with published laboratory thermal preference and critical thermal maximum data.
• Comparison of field temperatures with local weather station data.

Main Results:

• Observed field body temperatures differed significantly from published thermal preferences but not from mean local weather station temperatures.
• Maximum observed diurnal temperatures approached the critical thermal maximum.
• Spiders exhibited behaviors like hunting at temperatures above their preferred range.

Conclusions:

• *Rabidosa rabida* appears to be primarily a thermoconformer, matching ambient temperatures.
• Field observations are essential for accurate assessments of ectotherm thermal ecology.
• While generally conforming, *R. rabida* may exhibit some thermoregulatory behaviors in specific situations.