Stoidis aurata (Araneae: Salticidae), a Spider Predator of Ants

Edwards, G. B.; Carroll, J. F.; Whitcomb, W. H.

doi:10.2307/3493491

Cited by 52 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Ants were chosen because, except for a few notable exceptions (Edwards et al 1974;Cutler 1980;Jackson & van Olphen 1991, 1992, salticids, including P. regius, tend to avoid attacking ants. However, whether aversion to ants is learned or instinctive has not been investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of experience in the development of predatory behaviour inPhidippus regius,a jumping spider (Araneae, Salticidae) from Florida

Edwards

Jackson

1994

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Inexperienced Phidippus regius spiderlings used significantly different techniques to capture larvae of a lepidopteran (Trichoplusia ni) and adult dipterans (Drosophila melanogaster). The predatory behaviours of P. regius spiderlings and adults were similar, indicating that the conditional predatory strategy is pre-programmed in this species (i.e. different responses to different prey do not depend on prior experience with those prey). Motility, shape, size, and presence versus absence of wings, all appear to be cues used by the spiderlings to evaluate prey type. The spiderlings' success at capturing prey improved rapidly over time. Experimental results suggest that this improvement depends mainly on effects of experience, but also partly on maturation. Also, spiderlings apparently learn to avoid ants. Tests with spiderlings that had only recently emerged from an eggsac indicated that for c. 3 days after emergence, spiderlings give priority to dispersal behaviour over predatory behaviour.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of experience in the development of predatory behaviour inPhidippus regius,a jumping spider (Araneae, Salticidae) from Florida

Edwards

Jackson

1994

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Ants concerned in the present study fall into two main categories: ants that rely on cuticular structures, sting and ants that mostly rely on the use of formic acid or gland secretions. These coincide with two broader taxonomic groups, being either "myrmicine" (Myrmicinae subfamily) or "formicine" (Formicinae and Dolichoderinae subfamilies) ants (Edwards et al, 1974;Shattuck, 1992;Bolton, 2003). Myrmicine ants have thick cuticle and cuticle structures, such as spines (also present in some Formicinae, but not present in the genera included in the present study); they possess a distinct postpetiole and a functional sting is always present, while in the formicine group, species armour is different, lack both postpetiole and sting; their defence is based on the use of their mandibles and on toxin exuded from the tips of their abdomens (Hermann, 1969;Edwards et al, 1974).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coexistence Patterns Between Ants And Spiders In Grassland Habitats

Rákóczi¹,

Samu²

2014

Sociobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ecological importance of both ants and spiders is well known, as well as the relationship between certain spiders and ants. The two main strategies ˗ myrmecomorphy (ant-mimicking) and myrmecophagy (ant-eating) ˗ that connect spiders to ants have been mostly studied at the behavioural level. However, less is known about how these relationships manifest at the ecological level by shaping the distribution of populations and assemblages. Our question was how ant-mimicking and ant-eating spiders associate with ant genera as revealed by field co-occurrence patterns. For both spider groups we examined strength and specificity of the association, and how it is affected by ant size and defence strategy. To study spider-ant association patterns we carried out pitfall sampling on the dolomitic Sas Hill located in Budapest, Hungary. Spiders and ants were collected at eight grassland locations by operating five pitfalls/location continuously for two years. To find co-occurrence patterns, two approaches were used: correlation analyses to uncover possible spider-ant pairs, and null-model analyses (C-score) to show negative associations. These alternative statistical methods revealed consistent co-occurrence patterns. Associations were generally broad, not specific to exact ant genera. Ant-eating spiders showed a stronger association with ants. Both ant-mimicking and ant-eating spiders associated more strongly with Formicine ants - species with formic acid or anal gland secretions, and had neutral association with Myrmicine ants - species with stings and cuticle defences.

show abstract

“…Zenodorus durvillei, Z. metallescens and Z. orbiculatus, along with 21 species previously studied (Edwards et al, 1974;Cutler 1980;Jackson & van Olphen 1991, 1992Jackson et al 1998;Li et al 1996Li et al ,1999, appear to be exceptions to the rule that salticids are averse to ants as prey (Bristowe 1941). "Myrmecophagic" is an appropriate term for these 24 species.…”

Section: Specialisation In Myrmecophagic Salticidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ant's defences (e.g., powerful mandibles, poison-injecting stings and formic acid : Eisner 1970;Blum 1981;Holldobler & Wilson 1990) evidently present formidable challenges to most salticid species, but there is a sizeable minority group (the "myrmecophagic salticids") that routinely feed on ants (Li & Jackson 1996a). The most thoroughly studied myrmecophagic salticids are from nine genera, Aelurillus, Chalcotropis, Chrysilla Anasaitis, Habrocestum, Natta (formerly Cyllobelus), Siler, Xenocytaea (formerly Euophrys) and Zenodorus (formerly Pystira) (Edwards et al 1974;Cutler 1980;Jackson & van Olphen 1991, 1992Li et al 1996;Jackson et al 1998;Li et al 1999). Although each of these salticids takes ants readily using antspecific prey-capture tactics, each also uses other tactics to take other prey.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prey‐capture techniques and prey preferences ofZenodorus durvillei, Z. metallescensandZ. orbiculatus, tropical ant‐eating jumping spiders (Araneae: Saiticidae) from Australia

Jackson

2001

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Capture techniques and preferences of Zenodorus durvillei (Walckenaer), Z. metallescens (L. Koch) and Z. orbiculatus, Australian salticids that feed on ants in nature, were studied in the laboratory using a wide variety of ants and other insects. Each species adopted three prey-capture modes: ambush, active pursuit in the open, and gleaning from spider webs. Large ants were sometimes stabbed several times before holding on. A variety of methods were used for testing preference. The potential of using this assortment of methods for assessing strength of preferences is discussed. Each species took dolichoderine, formicine, myrmecine, myrmicine and pseudomyrmecine ants in preference to a variety of other insects (aphids, bugs, caterpillars, crickets, flies, lacewings, mantises, mayflies, midges, mosquitoes, moths, plant and leaf hoppers, and termites). Testing with laboratory-reared spiders showed that the development of preference for ants and ant-specific prey-capture behaviour did not depend on prior experience with ants. Tests with dead, motionless lures showed that each species could distinguish between ants and other types of prey independent of the different movement patterns of the prey. Preferences were intact after 7-day and 14-day fasts, but not after 21-day fasts when prey were outside webs. When prey were in webs, preference for ants persisted even after 21-day fasts. Findings are discussed in relation to other studies on specialised salticids and in relation to the structure and function of the salticid eye.

show abstract

Stoidis aurata (Araneae: Salticidae), a Spider Predator of Ants

Cited by 52 publications

References 0 publications

The role of experience in the development of predatory behaviour inPhidippus regius,a jumping spider (Araneae, Salticidae) from Florida

The role of experience in the development of predatory behaviour inPhidippus regius,a jumping spider (Araneae, Salticidae) from Florida

Coexistence Patterns Between Ants And Spiders In Grassland Habitats

Prey‐capture techniques and prey preferences ofZenodorus durvillei, Z. metallescensandZ. orbiculatus, tropical ant‐eating jumping spiders (Araneae: Saiticidae) from Australia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About