| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Total Authors: 3
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| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao Recursos Nat, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, Posgrad Biol Anim, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Estadual Minas Gerais, Dept Ciencias Biol, Ituiutaba, MG - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Campus Umuarama, Bloco 2D, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Behavioural Processes; v. 173, APR 2020. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 0 |
| Abstract | |
Before using estimators, it is essential to consider their efficiency in order to avoid bias in results. Due to the architectural and structural complexity of spider webs, some important variables involved in prey capture are usually estimated based on a few measurements obtained from photographs. One of these variables is the capture thread length (CTL), which can provide valuable information on foraging behaviours and the energetic investment in prey capture. However, many of the webs found in the field are damaged, and there is no automatic method to measure the CTL. Therefore, the determination of a simple and accurate estimator of this variable is important to several studies involving spider foraging strategies. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of traditional and new CTL estimators and their vulnerability to web shape and asymmetry. Our results validated the accuracy of the previous estimators. However, we also presented a simple new estimator that can be even more accurate, irrespective of whether the webs exhibit circular shapes or asymmetry in thread investment between superior and inferior web parts. Moreover, we presented an accurate CTL estimator for non-circular orb webs, for which the traditional ones are not applicable. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/14196-5 - Interpopulational variation in mating system and reproductive success of Manogea porracea (Araneae, Araneidae), a spider with amphisexual care |
| Grantee: | Rafael Rios Moura |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |