Aggressive mimicry, prey-specific predatory behaviour and predator-recognition in the predator-prey interactions of Portia fimbriata and Euryattus sp., jumping spiders from Queensland

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
RobertR. Jackson ◽  
R.Stimson Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Predator Recognition ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Aggressive Mimicry ◽  
Jumping Spiders

Bad news for bobtails: understanding predatory behaviour of a resource-subsidised corvid towards an island endemic reptile

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 595
Author(s):  
W. Oversby ◽  
S. M. Ferguson ◽  
R. A. Davis ◽  
P. W. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Tourism Impacts ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Predation Rates

Context Resource subsidisation as a result of urbanisation and other human activity can have positive impacts for some opportunistic predators. Many species of corvid have benefitted from the expansion of human-dominated habitats; however, their impacts on co-occurring prey fauna are generally poorly understood. Aims We aimed to test the hypothesis that urbanisation associated with tourism impacts the predator–prey relationship between Australian ravens, or wardongs (Corvus coronoides), a ubiquitous corvid of southern Australia, and Rottnest Island bobtails (Tiliqua rugosa konowi), a subspecies of bobtail lizard isolated to a small (19km2) island off the coast of Western Australia. Methods Using clay model lizards and camera traps, we assessed the wardongs’ attack rates by distance from the settlement and by whether the model was in closed or open habitat. Key Results We found that while wardongs preyed upon Rottnest Island bobtails, predation was not affected by proximity to human settlement despite the highest number of wardongs being found there. Models in closed vegetation were attacked by wardong significantly more than were those in open vegetation. Implications Increased predation rates in closed vegetation suggests that current revegetation efforts on the island may be increasing the availability of preferred hunting habitat for the wardong. This finding may influence decisions by management on whether to control the large population of wardongs on the island.

TRIAL-AND-ERROR SOLVING OF A CONFINEMENT PROBLEM BY A JUMPING SPIDER, PORTIA FIMBRIATA

Behaviour ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 138 (10) ◽  
pp. 1215-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jackson ◽  
Chris Carter ◽  
Michael Tarsitano
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Jumping Spider ◽  
Aggressive Mimicry ◽  
Jumping Spiders ◽  
Test Algorithm

Abstract Portia is a genus of web-invading araneophagic jumping spiders known from earlier studies to derive aggressive-mimicry signals by using a generate-and-test algorithm (trial-and-error tactic). Here P. fimbriata's use of trial-and-error to solve a confinement problem (how to escape from an island surrounded by water) is investigated. Spiders choose between two potential escape tactics (leap or swim), one of which will fail (bring spider no closer to edge of tray) and the other of which will partially succeed (bring spider closer to edge of tray). The particular choice that will partially succeed is unknown to the spider. Using trial-anderror, P.fimbriata solves the confinement problem both when correct choices are rewarded (i.e. when the spider is moved closer to edge of tray) and when incorrect choices are punished (i.e. when the spider gets no closer to edge of tray).

Olfactory cues from conspecifics inhibit the web-invasion behavior of Portia, web-invading araneophagic jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1415-1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne B. Willey ◽  
Robert R. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Aggressive Mimicry ◽  
Jumping Spiders ◽  
Web Geometry ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Conspecific Adult ◽  
Invasion Behavior ◽  
Courtship Displays ◽  
The Web

Portia is a genus of web-invading araneophagic spiders that use aggressive mimicry to capture their spider prey. In an experimental study, we demonstrate that adult females of Portia africana, P. fimbriata, P. labiata, and P. schultzi produce olfactory cues that affect the behavior of conspecific adult males, adult females, and juveniles. The olfactory cues of Portia spp. inhibit aggressive mimicry of conspecific spiders that are on a prey spider's web even if the prey spider is visible. This inhibition occurs regardless of the prey spider's web geometry. Prey pursuit by Portia is also inhibited when conspecific females provide olfactory cues in cases where the prey is a spider inhabiting a web. Olfactory cues from adult females elicit courtship displays of conspecific males when males are on the prey spider's web. Portia spp. do not alter their behavior when exposed to olfactory cues of heterospecifics.

scholarly journals Association between shell morphology of micro-land snails (genus Plectostoma) and their predator’s predatory behaviour

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thor-Seng Liew ◽  
Menno Schilthuizen
Keyword(s):  
Land Snails ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
Biological Form ◽  
Predation Costs ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Thickness Shell

Predator-prey interactions are among the main ecological interactions that shape the diversity of biological form. In many cases, the evolution of the mollusc shell form is presumably driven by predation. However, the adaptive significance of several uncommon, yet striking, shell traits of land snails are still poorly known. These include the distorted coiled “tuba” and the protruded radial ribs that can be found in micro-landsnails of the genus Plectostoma. Here, we experimentally tested whether these shell traits may act as defensive adaptations against predators. First, we identified the predators, namely, Atopos slugs and Pteroptyx beetle larvae, and their predatory strategies towards Plectostoma snails. Then, we characterised and quantified the possible anti-predation behaviour and shell traits of Plectostoma snails both in terms of their properties and efficiencies in defending against the Atopos slug predatory strategies, namely, shell-apertural entry and shell-drilling. The results showed that Atopos slugs would first attack the snail by shell-apertural entry, and, should this fail, shift to the energetically more costly shell-drilling strategy. We found that the shell tuba of Plectostoma snails is an effective defensive trait against shell-apertural entry attack. None of the snail traits, such as resting behaviour, shell thickness, shell tuba shape, shell rib density and intensity can protect the snail from the slug’s shell-drilling attack. However, these traits could increase the predation costs to the slug. Further analysis on the shell traits revealed that the lack of effectiveness these anti-predation shell traits may be caused by a functional trade-off between shell traits under selection of two different predatory strategies. Lastly, we discuss our results in the framework of Red Queen predator-prey coevolution and escalation, and propose several key elements for future study.

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