Publication Date:
2011-06-12
Description:
Most orb-web spiders face downwards in the web. A downward orientation has been proposed to be the optimal strategy because spiders run faster downwards and thus can catch prey quicker. Consequently, orb-web spiders also extend their web in the lower part, leading to top-down web asymmetry. Since the majority of orb-web spiders face downwards, it has been difficult to test the effect of orientation on prey capture and web asymmetry. In this study, we explored the influence of reverse orientation on foraging efficiency and web asymmetry in Verrucosa arenata , a neotropical orb-web spider that faces upwards in the web. We show that reverse orientation does not imply reverse web asymmetry in this species. V. arenata spiders captured more prey in the lower part of the web but more prey per area on the upper part. The average running speeds of spiders did not differ between upward and downward running, but heavier spiders took longer to capture prey while running upwards. We discuss these findings in the context of foraging efficiency and web asymmetry. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00114-011-0811-2 Authors Dinesh Rao, INBIOTECA, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Culturas Veracruzanas No.101, Col. E. Zapata, CP 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Oscar Ceballos Fernandez, INBIOTECA, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Culturas Veracruzanas No.101, Col. E. Zapata, CP 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Ernesto Castañeda-Barbosa, INBIOTECA, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Culturas Veracruzanas No.101, Col. E. Zapata, CP 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Francisco Díaz-Fleischer, INBIOTECA, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Culturas Veracruzanas No.101, Col. E. Zapata, CP 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Journal Naturwissenschaften Online ISSN 1432-1904 Print ISSN 0028-1042
Print ISSN:
0028-1042
Electronic ISSN:
1432-1904
Topics:
Biology
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Chemistry and Pharmacology
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Natural Sciences in General
