Clutch Size in Spiders: Is More Better?

Marshall, Samuel D.; Gittleman, John L.

doi:10.2307/2390120

Cited by 174 publications

(136 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…We collected published data on clutch size of other inaccurate spider mimics from Gnaphosidae and Corinnidae (Kaston, 1948;Nielsen, 1932), combined them with our results and compared them with the clutch size of related non-mimetic gnaphosid and clubionid/liocranid spider species (Marshall & Gittleman, 1994;Zolnerowich & Horner, 1985), by means of ANCOVA, thus taking into account female size. Clubionid and liocranid species were chosen because no data were available for non-mimetic corinnid species.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life-history constraints in inaccurate Batesian myrmecomorphic spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae, Gnaphosidae)

Pekár¹,

Jarab²

2011

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Accurate Batesian mimicry is known to impose constraints on some traits of the mimic, such as foraging or reproductive behaviour. It is not known whether life-history traits of inaccurate Batesian mimics are constrained as well. We studied selected lifehistory traits of three spider species, Liophrurillus flavitarsis, Phrurolithus festivus (both Corinnidae), and Micaria sociabilis (Gnaphosidae), that are inaccurate mimics of ants. Namely, we were interested in how myrmecomorphy (ant-like resemblance) constrains their circadian activity, trophic niche and reproductive behaviour. The spiders were found to have diurnal activity like their models, whereas their close relatives have nocturnal activity. The three mimics do not catch ants, nor do they use food resources of ants, but catch various tiny invertebrates that occur in the vicinity of their models. Their trophic niche seems to be constrained by occurrence among ants. Absence of courtship and long lasting copulation, in a position that does not provide protective resemblance, do not seem to be constrained by mimicry in the three species. Comparative analysis of fecundity in mimetic and non-mimetic spiders showed that clutch size is also not constrained. Unlike in accurate mimics, life-history traits of inaccurate myrmecomorphs appear not to be constrained.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life-history constraints in inaccurate Batesian myrmecomorphic spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae, Gnaphosidae)

Pekár¹,

Jarab²

2011

Eur. J. Entomol.

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“…The model proposed by Marshall & Gittleman (1994) for the relationship between fecundity and the mass of females predicts fewer egg-sacs for T. stenaspis than were recorded. That of Simpson (1995) predicts a smaller total fecundity and larger eggs than recorded.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Life-history of the parthenogenetic oonopid spider, Triaeris stenaspis (Araneae: Oonopidae)

Korenko¹,

Šmerda²,

Pekár³

2009

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Selected life-history traits of an oonopid spider, Triaeris stenaspis Simon, which has been introduced into greenhouses in Europe, were investigated. Spiders were reared in the laboratory under constant physical and dietary conditions, and followed from egg to death. The spiders passed through 3 juvenile instars, each lasting approximately a month. The adult stage lasted on average 6 months, which is 54% of the entire life cycle. The mortality in each juvenile instar was similar. Five morphological characters were recorded for each instar, which provided a reliable means of identifying the developmental stages. All spiders developed into females and although kept isolated they laid fertile eggs, which indicates thelytokous parthenogenesis. Eggs were always enclosed in a disc-shaped egg-sac, each containing 2 eggs. Total fecundity was on average 27 eggs and rate of laying eggs decreased with age. Fecundity was positively correlated with adult longevity. Fertility was rather low, approximately 59%. It was negatively correlated with fecundity but not related to longevity. Low fertility appears to be the only cost of parthenogenetic reproduction. There was considerable genotypic variation in all traits studied compared to that in sexually reproducing spiders. There were no apparent maternal effects on all the traits studied. Using molecular methods proved that parthenogenesis in T. stenaspis is not induced by the endosymbiotic bacteria,

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“…The relation between foraging success, body size and egg production (or mating success in males) is well documented in spiders (Morse 1988;Uetz 1992;Marshall & Gittleman 1994;Vollrath 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of temperature on the web‐building behaviour of the common house spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum

et al. 1997

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Summary 1.Because spiders are ectothermic animals, the temperature regime of the microhabitat in which an individual finds itself may affect important performance traits of that individual. The present study examined the effects of temperature on attributes of webs spun by Achaearanea tepidariorum (C. L. Koch), as well as testing temperature preference in this species. The effects of temperature on the amount of silk per web produced by Achaearanea tepidariorum and the prey-capture efficiency of webs produced at different temperatures were determined by using webs constructed at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. The temperature preferences of A. tepidariorum within a thermal gradient were also determined. 2. Web mass was related to temperature, exhibiting a quadratic relation with a maximum web mass occurring at approximately 20°C. 3. Number of strands per cm 3 of webs varied directly with web mass; webs with greater strand densities were more efficient at capturing flies. 4. The number of spiders observed in each temperature range in the thermal gradient indicated a non-uniform distribution, with the spiders avoiding temperatures in the highest range (27·3 ± 2·0°C). 5. These data suggest an optimal temperature for web construction at which webs produced are more efficient at capturing prey. The data also suggest that this species may avoid sites that do not provide an adequate thermal environment.

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Clutch Size in Spiders: Is More Better?

Cited by 174 publications

References 37 publications

Life-history constraints in inaccurate Batesian myrmecomorphic spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae, Gnaphosidae)

Life-history constraints in inaccurate Batesian myrmecomorphic spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae, Gnaphosidae)

Life-history of the parthenogenetic oonopid spider, Triaeris stenaspis (Araneae: Oonopidae)

The effects of temperature on the web‐building behaviour of the common house spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum

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