Comparison of natural histories and karyotypes of two closely related ant‐eating spiders,<i>Zodarion hamatum</i>and<i>Z. italicum</i>(Araneae, Zodariidae)

Summary1. Disruptive natural selection resulting from specialization on different hosts is recognized as one of the most important driving forces in the diversification of herbivores and parasites. It has been proposed that a similar mechanism could apply to carnivorous predators too, although the evidence is still lacking. 2. Here, we show that the differentiation of biotypes of specialized ant-eating spiders of the genus Zodarion has probably been induced by prey-shifting. We focused on two forms of one species Z. styliferum from the Iberian Peninsula that presumably represent ecological races. We conducted geographic, ecological, venom-oriented, reproductive and genetic divergence analysis among multiple populations collected at a number of sites across Portugal and Madeira. 3. Geographic analysis revealed that the two forms occur in mosaic sympatry. Each form was found to associate in nature with a different ant species in a different habitat. Specifically, the styliferum form hunted predominantly Messor ants, and the extraneum form hunted mainly Camponotus ants. Laboratory experiments revealed that the two forms exhibit a significant preference for attacking focal ants, demonstrating higher paralysis efficiency, and also show different venom composition. Cross-mating of the two forms was significantly less likely than between pairs of the same form, suggesting moderate assortative mating. Phylogenetic analyses indicate low genetic differentiation of the two forms and parallel-repeated evolution of biotypes. 4. Adaptive prey-shifting correlated with habitat preference are at present the most valid explanations for biotype formation in Zodarion. The speciation of ant-eating Zodarion spiders thus appears to follow a scenario similar to that of host-shifting in parasites and herbivores.

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“…Such ant‐mimicry is known for few other species of this genus (e.g. Pekár, Král & Lubin 2005b; Pekár et al. 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The above‐mentioned mechanisms were all found in polyphagous spiders. Field surveys on the association of Zodarion spiders in the Eastern Mediterranean revealed that each species exhibited strong prey specificity and adaptations for certain ant species (Pekár, Král & Lubin 2005b; Pekár et al. 2005; Pekár & Toft 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prey‐race drives differentiation of biotypes in ant‐eating spiders

Pekár

Šmerda

Hrušková

et al. 2012

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…They are restricted almost exclusively to the Palearctic region with at least 35 species reported for the Iberian Peninsula (Platnick 2012). Available data on their biology show that all species are compulsory ant eaters (Wiehle 1928; Cushing and Santangelo 2002; Pekár 2004; Pekár et al 2005a,b, 2011). Some Zodarion spiders (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hymenopteran parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae)

Korenko¹,

Schmidt²,

Schwarz³

et al. 2013

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Calymmochilus dispar Bouček & Andriescu (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Gelis apterus (Pontoppidan) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) are newly recorded as parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae). The larvae of both parasitoid species fed on juvenile spiders. The final instar larva and pupa of Calymmochilus dispar and the male of Gelis apterus are described for the first time. Both species represent new distribution records for Portugal. The biology and host associations of the parasitoids are discussed.

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“…Most of the 130 species seem to have small distribution ranges, restricted to a few hundred square kilometres (Bosmans 1994;. Only a few species extended their range beyond the Mediterranean (Snazell and Bosmans 1998;Askins 1999;Ř ezáč 2002;Pekár et al 2005b).…”

Section: Zodarion Rubidummentioning

confidence: 98%

Ecology of Arachnida alien to Europe

et al. 2011

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The ecology of selected species of spiders (Araneae), harvestmen (Opiliones), and the neglected tropical order Schizomida, alien to Europe, is discussed. Their geographic origins and pathways of introduction, by transportation with goods, are similar to other predatory terrestrial arthropods. Occurrence in buildings (synanthropy) is a prerequisite for range expansion in many arachnid species. Thelytokous parthenogenesis facilitated spread of a few spider, harvestman and schizomid species outside their native range. Both prey generalists and specialists (woodlice-eating Dysdera crocata and ant-eating Zodarion rubidum) are among species successfully expanding their range. Alien arachnids include individual species belonging to many different families. We stress the absence of true invasiveness of alien arachnids in Europe. Some unusual adverse effects of alien arachnids were recorded, such as pollution of buildings and clogged car fuel system ventilation tubes. Frequency of painful biting and threat to native biota are low.

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Comparison of natural histories and karyotypes of two closely related ant‐eating spiders,Zodarion hamatumandZ. italicum(Araneae, Zodariidae)

Cited by 18 publications

References 10 publications

Prey‐race drives differentiation of biotypes in ant‐eating spiders

Prey‐race drives differentiation of biotypes in ant‐eating spiders

Hymenopteran parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae)

Ecology of Arachnida alien to Europe

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