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A Case of Blind Spider ' S Buff ? : Prey-capture by Jumping Spiders ( Araneae , Salticidae ) in the Absence of Visual Cues
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Taylorl, P. W. Jackson, R. R. Robertson, M. W. |
| Copyright Year | 2004 |
| Abstract | Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are well known for their complex visual hunting behavior, but this is the first comparative study investigating their ability to catch prey in the absence of visual cues . When tested with vision occluded inside tubes, where spiders and prey (house flies, Musca domestica, and fruit flies, Drosophila spp .) could not easily evade each other, each of 42 salticid species tested caught prey in at least one of five different procedures used. Some salticids caught flies less frequently or were less aggressive when tested in petri dishes, where spiders and flies could easily evade each other . For both types of arena and prey, there were significant species differences in both success at prey-capture and tendency to respond aggressively when first contacted by flies . Additionally, there was significant positive correlation between success at catching prey and tendency to act aggressively when first contacted . Salticids resembled short-sighted spiders from other families by only attempting to catch flies when physically contacted, and by rapidly leaning forward ('lunging') to catch prey rather than leaping as they do when visual cues are available. We discuss circumstances in nature when an ability to catch prey in the absence of visual cues might be used by salticids . Jumping spiders (Salticidae) have visual acuity that far exceeds the abilities of other spiders (Land 1985 ; Blest et al . 1990) and are well known for their use of vision when communicating (Crane 1949 ; Clark & Uetz 1994), navigating (Hill 1979; Tarsitano & Jackson 1997) and hunting (Forster 1977, 1979 ; Jackson & Pollard 1996 ; Bear & Hasson 1997 ; Li et al. 1997). Although members of some other spider families do use vision when hunting (e.g ., Snelling 1983 ; Stratton 1984; Jackson et al. 1995), no non-salticid comes close to the refinement of vision-mediated hunting behavior used routinely by salticids . After orienting toward a target, a salticid relies mainly on visual cues when making decisions about whether and how a hunt should proceed (Forster 1977 ; Jackson & Pollard 1996 ; Li & Jackson 1996) . For example, visual cues about prey identity, size, distance and orientation influence the salticid's speed and direction of approach (Dill 1974; Freed 1984 ; Jackson & van Olphen 1991 ; Bear & Hasson 1997). The 2 Current address : Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO . Box 12, Rehovot 76-100 Israel . I Current address : Biology Department, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois 62522-2084 USA . 369 salticid slowly creeps up on its prey until close enough for an attack, pauses, and then finally leaps at the prey (Heil 1936 ; Drees 1952; Forster 1977) . Despite their remarkable adaptation for diurnal activity, salticids appear able to coordinate some activities in darkness. For example, when in darkness, salticids can maintain straight courses by turn-alternation (Taylor 1995) and communicate by vibratory signals transmitted through nests (Richman & Jackson 1992) . These non-visual abilities prompt speculation about whether salticids can also catch prey when visual cues are not available . Laboratory studies addressing this issue have yielded conflicting evidence ; when tested in large arenas, Phidippus johnsoni (Peckham & Peckham 1883) failed to catch prey in the absence of visual cues (Jackson 1977), but Trite planiceps Simon 1899 was later found to catch prey when tested in smaller arenas (Forster 1982) . Trite planiceps lives in dark recesses formed by rolled-up leaves, and adults usually do not build enclosing retreats (see Taylor 1997). Forster (1982) suggested that this species' ability to catch prey in the absence of visual cues is related to its lifestyle promoting frequent encounters with potential prey in darkness . Evaluation of whether Trite |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v26_n3/JoA_v26_p369.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
