Influence of prey availability on web-building in the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum (Araneae: Eresidae)

Ellendula, Saroja and Tresa, Carol and Uma, Divya (2021) Influence of prey availability on web-building in the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum (Araneae: Eresidae). The Journal of Arachnology, 49 (1). ISSN 0161-8202

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Abstract

Spider webs are characteristic of a species, yet web architecture, the amount of silk laid, and silk mechanics are plastic at an individual level. These different web parameters are influenced by the spiders' own intrinsic state as well as biotic and abiotic conditions. When compared to satiated spiders, hungry spiders are known to build bigger webs, alter the mesh width of the web or increase the frequency of web-building. Although the influence of hunger on web architecture is known in solitary spiders, it has not been studied in social spiders. Here, we examine how prey availability affects the amount of web and cribellate silk laid in the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum, Karsch, 1892 (Eresidae). In a laboratory setup, we observed that unfed spiders invest more in web-building, compared to fed spiders. Unfed social spider colonies laid more silk, particularly cribellate silk, than fed colonies. Our results help to shed light on the plasticity of web architecture in social spiders with respect to changes in prey availability.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Ellendula, Saroja and Tresa, Carol and Uma, Divya
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Natural Sciences > Life sciences; biology > Physiology & related subjects Natural Sciences > Life sciences; biology > Ecology Natural Sciences > Animals (Zoology)
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Arts and Sciences
Full Text Status:	None
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7129
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1636/JoA-S-19-080

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