Spiders that decorate their webs at higher frequency intercept more prey and grow faster

Proc Biol Sci. 2005 Sep 7;272(1574):1753-7. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3160.

Abstract

Many orb-weaving spiders decorate their webs with extra, bright white, ultraviolet light reflecting silk. Previous studies suggest that these decorations increase a spider's foraging efficiency by improving web attractiveness, which is known as the prey-attraction hypothesis. One assumption of this hypothesis is that individuals which decorate their webs at a higher frequency are expected to have a higher growth rate. Using a decoration-building orb-weaving spider, Argiope versicolor, I show a strong positive relationship between the growth rate in terms of weight gain and the frequency of decoration-building, as well as the rate of insect interception. This is the first study to reveal a fitness consequence of decorating behaviour in spiders.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Body Weight
  • Predatory Behavior / physiology*
  • Silk
  • Singapore
  • Spiders / growth & development*
  • Spiders / physiology*

Substances

  • Silk