Orb-weaving spiders are fewer but larger and catch more prey in lit bridge panels from a natural artificial light experiment

Gomes, Dylan G. E.

doi:10.7717/peerj.8808

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…We used a tape measure to quantify vertical web diameter ( D v ), horizontal web diameter ( D h ), free‐zone diameter ( D f z ) and upper radius ( R u ; following Gomes, 2020b; Tew & Hesselberg, 2017), which allowed us to calculate web capture area with the Ellipse–Hub equation (Herberstein & Tso, 2000):

Web area = π (\frac{D_{v}}{2}) (\frac{D_{h}}{2}) ‐ π {()(, \frac{D_{fz}}{2})}^{2} .

…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phantom river noise alters orb‐weaving spider abundance, web size and prey capture

2020

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Novel anthropogenic noise has received considerable attention in behavioural ecology, but the natural acoustic environment has largely been ignored as a niche axis. Using arrays of speakers, we experimentally broadcasted whitewater river noise continuously for three summers, and monitored spider abundance and behaviour across 15 sites, to test our hypothesis that river noise is an important structuring force as a niche axis. We find substantial evidence that orb‐weaving spiders (Araneidae and Tetragnathidae) are more abundant in high sound level environments, but are not affected by background noise spectrum. We explore multiple possible mechanisms underlying these patterns, such as loss of vertebrate predators and increased prey capture, and assess spider web‐building behaviour and body condition in noise. Continued research on the natural and anthropogenic acoustic environment will likely reveal a web of connections hidden within this neglected ecological niche axis. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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Web area = π (\frac{D_{v}}{2}) (\frac{D_{h}}{2}) ‐ π {()(, \frac{D_{fz}}{2})}^{2} .

…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All data, code and materials used in the analysis are available as a fully-reproducible workflow on the Dryad Data Repository https:// doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rbnzs 7h9b (Gomes, 2020B).…”

Section: Data Ava I L a B I L I T Y S Tat E M E N Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phantom river noise alters orb‐weaving spider abundance, web size and prey capture

2020

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“…In short, speakers were used to experimentally broadcast whitewater river noise (predictor variable: sound pressure level) over the course of multiple summers. Orb-weaving spiders (Tetragnatha versicolor) were then weighed and measured (femur length), and body condition (response variable) was calculated from a residual index, using these measurements (Jakob, Marshall & Uetz, 1996;Gomes, 2020).…”

Section: Case Study: Spider Body Condition and Noisementioning

confidence: 99%

Including random effects in statistical models in ecology: fewer than five levels?

Gomes

2021

Preprint

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As (generalized) linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) have become a widespread tool in ecology, the need to guide the use of such tools is increasingly important. One common 'rule of thumb' is that one needs at least five levels of a random effect. Having such few levels makes the estimation of the variance of random effects terms difficult, but it need not muddy one's ability to estimate fixed effects terms. Here, I use simulated datasets and model fitting to show that having too few random effects terms does not influence the parameter estimates or uncertainty around those estimates for fixed effects terms. Thus, it should be acceptable to use fewer levels of random effects if one is not interested in making inference about variance estimates of the random effects terms (i.e. they are 'nuisance' parameters). I also assess the potential for pseudo-replication in (generalized) linear models (LMs), when random effects are explicitly ignored and find that LMs do not show increased type-I errors compared to their mixed-effects model counterparts. These results challenge the view that it is never appropriate to model random effects terms with fewer than five levels - when inference is not being made for the random effects, it may not pose problems. Given the widespread accessibility of GLMMs, future simulation studies and further assessments of these statistical methods are necessary to understand the consequences of both violating and blindly following 'rules of thumb.'

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“…Araneids prey on insects or other arthropods, and deploy complex and conspicuous orb-shaped foraging webs for hunting [ 27 ]. These have drawn widespread recognition among the general public, as well as significant interest in research to uncover the natural history and ecology of orb-weavers [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. In particular, the wasp spider ( Argiope bruennichi ) is frequently used as a model to study mating, silk-spinning, predatory behavior [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], and range-expansion [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Analysis Reveals a Compartmentalized Duct in the Venom Apparatus of the Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi)

Schmidtberg

Reumont

Lemke

et al. 2021

Toxins

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Spiders are one of the most successful groups of venomous animals, but surprisingly few species have been examined in sufficient detail to determine the structure of their venom systems. To learn more about the venom system of the family Araneidae (orb-weavers), we selected the wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) and examined the general structure and morphology of the venom apparatus by light microscopy. This revealed morphological features broadly similar to those reported in the small number of other spiders subject to similar investigations. However, detailed evaluation of the venom duct revealed the presence of four structurally distinct compartments. We propose that these subunits facilitate the expression and secretion of venom components, as previously reported for similar substructures in pit vipers and cone snails.

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Orb-weaving spiders are fewer but larger and catch more prey in lit bridge panels from a natural artificial light experiment

Cited by 17 publications

References 53 publications

Phantom river noise alters orb‐weaving spider abundance, web size and prey capture

Phantom river noise alters orb‐weaving spider abundance, web size and prey capture

Including random effects in statistical models in ecology: fewer than five levels?

Morphological Analysis Reveals a Compartmentalized Duct in the Venom Apparatus of the Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi)

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