Web decoration polymorphism in Argiope Audouin, 1826 (Araneidae) spiders : ontogenetic and interspecific variation | Macquarie University ResearchOnline

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Web decoration polymorphism in Argiope Audouin, 1826 (Araneidae) spiders : ontogenetic and interspecific variation

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/80574

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Title: Web decoration polymorphism in Argiope Audouin, 1826 (Araneidae) spiders : ontogenetic and interspecific variation
Related: Journal of natural history, Vol. 39, Issue 44, p.3833-3845
DOI: 10.1080/00222930500432182
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date: 2005
FoR/RFCD Code(s): 060400 Genetics
Author/Creator: Bruce, Matthew J
Author/Creator: Herberstein, Marie E
Description: Spiders in the genus Argiope commonly include curious silk structures, termed web decorations or stabilimenta in their webs. Whilst interesting ontogenetic and interspecific variation in both the form and frequency of web decorations has been documented, to our knowledge this is the first study to compare this variation across a number of decorating species. Here we show that two sympatric species A. picta and A. aetherea construct different forms of web decorations as adults and that A. picta decorates at a higher frequency than A. aetherea. Furthermore, this difference in decoration frequency may be related to the different decoration forms (linear or cruciate) across this genus. We also show that native bees responded significantly more quickly to cruciate decorations than to linear decorations. Here we argue that consideration of the different decoration forms and the frequency at which spiders adorn their webs may help illuminate possible context-dependent functions for these curious structures.
Description: 13 page(s)
Subject Keyword: 060400 Genetics
Subject Keyword: anti-predator behaviour
Subject Keyword: Argiope
Subject Keyword: prey capture
Subject Keyword: stabilimenta
Subject Keyword: web decorations
Resource Type: journal article
Organisation: Macquarie University. Dept. of Biological Sciences

Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/80574
Identifier: ISSN:1464-5262
Identifier: mq-rm-2005001305
Language: eng
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