Olfactory information saves venom during prey‐capture of the hunting spider Cupiennius salei (Araneae: Ctenidae)

Abstract

Summary 1.The Neotropical spider Cupiennius salei Keyserling (Ctenidae) selects prey in a manner consistent with the amount of venom available in its venom glands. It distinguishes the venom sensitivity of different prey species, and uses its venom economically (according to the venom-optimization hypothesis). 2. A prey-choice experiment was performed to test whether spiders use olfactory cues to detect prey and select prey items that are appropriate for their amount of available venom. 3. The spider could choose between two similar prey dummies made of agar. We added the odour of two prey species, either by adding minced insects to an agar block or by offering it on filter paper which had previously been exposed to the living prey. Cupiennius salei spiders had either full or emptied venom glands. 4. Two insects of distinctive venom sensitivity, but high acceptance, were tested: a sensitive cricket and a less sensitive cockroach. 5. Using video surveillance, we found an attraction effect of prey odour in the prey-capture behaviour of C. salei . Spiders preferred agar pieces with minced insects or insect odour on filter paper over non-smelling items. Reaction frequency and attack rates were equal for spiders with full venom glands if they had to choose between cricket and cockroach odour. When the venom glands were empty, however, C. salei significantly preferred the venom-sensitive cricket over the venom-insensitive cockroach. 6. We showed for the first time that C. salei uses its olfactory sense to detect prey items, and distinguishes between prey species with low and high sensitivity to spider venom. This study supports the venom-optimization hypothesis.

The Strategic Use of Venom by Spiders

“…When presented with two prey items simultaneously, adult female C. salei spiders shifted their attacks toward the cockroach species that was more easily subdued by venom (Blatta orientalis) and avoided the more venom-resistant species (Nauphoeta cinerea). Hostettler and Nentwig (2006) subsequently showed that C. salei uses olfactory information to identify prey type and distinguish venom sensitivity, presumably to conserve venom.…”

“…For an organism to deploy venom in an optimal or strategic manner, it must accurately assess both its external environment, including the intended recipient of the venom, and its own internal state (Hostettler and Nentwig 2006;Wullschleger and Nentwig 2002). External factors assessed for predatory venom deployment may include type of prey (Hayes 1992;Wigger et al 2002), prey size (Edmunds and Sibly 2010;McCormick and Polis 1990;Steiner 1986), and prey struggle intensity or duration (Djieto-Lordon et al 2001;Malli et al 1999;Steiner 1986).…”

“…Because venom is both a valuable resource and a limited commodity, selection should favor the behavioral use of venom in ways that maximize effectiveness and minimize waste (Hayes 2008;Hayes et al 2002;Hostettler and Nentwig 2006;Morgenstern and King 2013). Cost-benefit analyses are essential for understanding the adaptive value of behavior because natural selection favors strategies that have a propitious cost-benefit ratio (Cuthill and Houston 1997).…”

Chemoreceptors distribution and relative importance of male forelegs and palps in intersexual chemical communication of the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

“…Furthermore, chemical signals could be far more relevant across spider taxa (Gaskett 2007;Schulz 2004). Up to date, a growing handful of empirical evidence shows that spiders use chemical signals to mediate diverse interactions, including prey detection (Hostettler and Nentwig 2006;Jackson et al 2002;Persons and Uetz 1996;Punzo and Kukoyi 1997), predator avoidance Persons et al , 2002Schonewolf et al 2006), social recognition (Evans and York Main 1993), and particularly intersexual communication (Aisenberg et al 2010; Baruffaldi and Costa 2010;Papke et al 2001;Roberts and Uetz 2004a, b;reviewed in Gaskett 2007;Schulz 2004;Tichy et al 2001;Tietjen and Rovner 1982;Wu et al 2007). Although sex pheromones are considered widespread in spiders, both emitter and receptor organs have been rarely studied (but see Foelix and Chu-Wang 1973;Tichy et al 2001;Tietjen and Rovner 1982).…”

O uso do olfato nos opiliões Neosadocus maximus e Mischonyx cuspidatus (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores)

“…A olfação é relativamente bem documentada em algumas ordens de Arachnida (Araneae: Hostettler & Nentwig, 2006;Nelson et al,2012; Amblypygi: Hebets & Chapman, 2000;Walsh & Rayor, 2008;Santer & Hebets, 2011;Hebets et al, 2014;Acari: Zhong et al, 2011;Soares & Borges, 2012;Carr et al, 2013;Silva et al, 2014), mas tem sido pouco explorada na ordem…”