The responses of a funnel‐web weaving spider, Agelena labyrinthica, to elevated CO₂ concentration

Abstract

The effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the growth and development of the funnel‐web weaving spider Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck) (Araneae: Agelenidae) were studied in climate chambers with low (370 μl l−1) or high (750 μl l−1) CO2 concentration. Seventh‐instar A. labyrinthica cultured under each of these CO2 concentrations were randomly selected to determine nutrient composition (total protein, total amino acid, and free fatty acid) and digestive or detoxification enzymes activity (peroxidase, amylase, and superoxide dismutase) using test kits. When reared under high CO2 concentration, total development of A. labyrinthica was significantly faster. Carapace length and width and body weight did not differ between CO2 concentrations, nor the levels of protein and total amino acids in seventh‐instar A. labyrinthica. However, free fatty acid levels were significantly lower under high CO2 concentration. Specific activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in seventh‐instar A. labyrinthica did not differ between CO2 concentrations. The specific activity of amylase under high CO2 concentration was higher than that of the low CO2 group. The effects of elevated CO2 on A. labyrinthica varied from those on the wandering spider Pardosa astrigera L Koch, as found in an earlier study. Apparently, elevated CO2 has a species‐specific impact on spiders.

Combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia on Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

“…Two concentrations of CO 2 , ambient (400 ppm) (WMO, ) and high (800 ppm), were set up using CO 2 artificial climate chambers (CC350TLHC type; Changzhou Okefenokee Instrument). The current ambient concentration of atmospheric CO 2 is 400 ppm, so our “highest” treatment of CO 2 was approximately double then the ambient level (Wang et al, ; Zuo et al, ).…”

“…The current ambient concentration of atmospheric CO 2 is 400 ppm, so our "highest" treatment of CO 2 was approximately double then the ambient level (Wang et al, 2016;Zuo et al, 2015). The current ambient concentration of atmospheric CO 2 is 400 ppm, so our "highest" treatment of CO 2 was approximately double then the ambient level (Wang et al, 2016;Zuo et al, 2015).…”

“…Unlike P. astrigera , when a web‐weaving spider Agelena labyrinthica (Araneae: Agelenidae) was exposed to elevated CO 2 concentration, the total developmental duration was significantly decreased, while the carapace size and weight were not affected. These observations suggest that elevated CO 2 concentration has species‐specific impacts on spiders (Wang et al, ).…”

“…In addition, the ecological consequences of these interactions were not equal due to overlapping effects of the two factors (Murray, Ellsworth, Tissue, & Riegler, ). Former studies have proved that elevated CO 2 levels or Wolbachia infection separately has significant effects on spiders (Goodacre et al, ; Wang et al, ; Zuo et al, ). With increasing of CO 2 level and extending proportion of Wolbachia infection, H. graminicola would be certainly subjected to double stresses.…”

Transcriptome responses to elevated CO2 level and Wolbachia‐infection stress in Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

“…Female spiders were reared in transparent glass tubes (20 mm × 100 mm) and fed every 3 d with 5–7 adult Drosophila melanogaster without Wolbachia infection. The spiders were reared under ambient CO 2 in a chamber at 28 °C, with 60%–70% relative humidity and 14 : 10 L : D photoperiod (light on at 08:00 hours) (Wang et al ., ). Materials used in this study were unregulated common arthropod spiders, and thus ethics approval was not required.…”