Spider-Web Building

Witt, Peter N.; Reed, Charles F.

doi:10.1126/science.149.3689.1190

Cited by 52 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The lethal and sublethal parameters of spiders studied were unaffected, as were the recorded web variables. Therefore, more mature or adult spiders have been suggested as indicator organisms (Witt & Reed, 1965). This would also correspond to field studies that have not found adverse effects of Bt maize on the abundance of spiders (Hassell & Shepard, 2002;Jasinski et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…In particular, web designs of individual spiders are highly variable (Hesselberg & Vollrath, 2004), which may be true especially for juvenile spiders (Heiling & Herberstein, 2000). Therefore, more mature or adult spiders have been suggested as indicator organisms (Witt & Reed, 1965). However, we chose, and still recommend, taking juvenile spiders, because the majority of the spider community in the maize fields during anthesis are juvenile stages Meissle & Lang, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bt maize pollen exposure and impact on the garden spider, Araneus diadematus

Ludy

Lang

2006

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Concerns have been raised that Bt maize pollen may have adverse effects on non-target organisms; consequently, there is a general call for Bt maize risk assessment evaluating lethal and sublethal side effects. Spiders play an important economic and ecological role as pest predators in various crops, including maize. Web-building spiders, especially, may be exposed to the Cry1Ab toxin of Bt maize by the ingestion of pollen via 'recycling' of pollen-dusted webs and intentional pollen feeding. In this study, the potential Bt maize pollen exposure of orb-web spiders was quantified in maize fields and adjacent field margins, and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the possible effects of Bt maize pollen consumption on juvenile garden spiders, Araneus diadematus (Clerck) (Araneae: Araneidae). In maize fields and neighbouring field margins, web-building spiders were exposed to high amounts of Bt maize pollen. However, a laboratory bioassay showed no effects of Bt maize pollen on weight increase, survival, moult frequency, reaction time, and various web variables of A. diadematus . A pyrethroid insecticide (Baythroid) application affected weight increase, survival, and reaction time of spiders negatively. In conclusion, the insecticide tested showed adverse effects on the garden spider, whereas the consumption of Bt maize pollen did not. This study is the first one on Bt maize effects on orb-web spiders, and additional research is recommended in order to account for further spider species, relative fitness parameters, prey-mediated effects, and possible long-term chronic consequences of Bt exposure.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bt maize pollen exposure and impact on the garden spider, Araneus diadematus

Ludy

Lang

2006

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…However, whether caffeine affects salticid behaviour through performance and/or competence factors is not yet known. Previous studies (Witt & Reed, 1965;Witt, Reed & Peakall, 1968; have shown that the effects of drugs in spiders are analogous to their effects in humans, so we can assume that caffeine has a similar effect on T.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Caffeine affects the vigilance decrement of Trite planiceps jumping spiders (Salticidae).

Humphrey¹,

Helton²,

Nelson

2019

Journal of Comparative Psychology

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In jumping spiders (Salticidae), the vigilance decrement, or decrease in response to a repeated visual stimulus over time, directly parallels that found in humans. Explanations for the vigilance decrement in the human literature are heavily mentalistic and central nervous system (CNS)-based, whereas response decrements in invertebrates are typically thought of as habituation at the sensory periphery. Here we explored whether the salticid vigilance decrement could be CNS-modulated by using caffeine, which is a well-known CNS stimulant for both vertebrates and invertebrates. We used paired tests in which Trite planiceps Simon spiders were randomly given either a drop of caffeinated water or distilled water and were then shown dot stimuli presented on monitors. We measured both general 'walking', or activity, as a control for physical fatigue, and optomotor responses to the stimuli. We found that the vigilance decrement was significantly shallower (i.e., spiders were more responsive for longer) when spiders were administered caffeine compared with water; furthermore, these spiders were also generally more active throughout the testing period and thus were not physically impaired. Our results suggest that, in at least in some invertebrates, CNS modulation of the vigilance decrement is likely.

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“…The distinction itself and its relevance to the concerns of cognitive develop mental theory can perhaps be made yet clearer by means of a second example, that of biologists' discussions of web-spinning spiders ( Witt and Reed, 1965). In attempting to understand those species of spiders which spin webs, biologists have incorporated into their discussions formal descriptions of the patterns of the webs.…”

Section: Competence Process and Psychological Realitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Competence and Performance Models and the Characterization of Formal Operational Skills

Stone¹,

Day²

1980

Human Development

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The distinction between competence and performance models in psycholinguistics is used to analyze current theory and research strategies in the study of development. The analysis is used to argue for the construction of performance models of cognitive skills which do not reify the elements of competence models. Some suggestions are presented for a performance model which relies on Soviet notions of activity and interpsychological control. The potential theoretical and empirical benefits of the model are discussed in the context of the authors’ research on the deployment of formal operational skills.

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Spider-Web Building

Cited by 52 publications

References 20 publications

Bt maize pollen exposure and impact on the garden spider, Araneus diadematus

Bt maize pollen exposure and impact on the garden spider, Araneus diadematus

Caffeine affects the vigilance decrement of Trite planiceps jumping spiders (Salticidae).

Competence and Performance Models and the Characterization of Formal Operational Skills

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