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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Population and individual trophic niche of two sympatric cobweb spiders, Nihonhimea tesselata and Tidarren haemorrhoidale (Araneae: Theridiidae)

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Author(s):
Pitilin, Renan B. [1] ; Moura, Rafael R. [2, 3] ; Gonzaga, Marcelo O. [4]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao Recursos Nat, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Estado Minas Gerais, Dept Ciencias Biol, Ituiutaba, MG - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY; v. 48, n. 1, p. 59-66, JUN 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Diet composition of spiders may depend on several factors, such as the relative abundance of potential prey, microhabitat selection, structure and physical properties of webs, adaptations to attract specific prey, among others. Variation in diet composition is probably highly influenced by individual's spatial distribution and web design. In this study, we evaluated the population trophic niche breadths of two sympatric cobweb spiders, Nihonhimea tesselata (Keyserling, 1884) and Tidarren haemorrhoidale (Bertkau, 1880) (Theridiidae). These species build distinct webs in an area of Eucalyptus monoculture in southeastern Brazil. We collected their prey and also recorded parameters of webs like a height from the ground, distance from tree trunks, and distribution across the Eucalyptus stand. The diet of the two species was highly distinct. However, diet similarity was not correlated with the distance between webs. There was also no spatial segregation between species within the forest stand. However, N. tesselata used more distal portion of Eucalyptus branches than T. haemorrhoidale, which usually attached several threads to the tree trunk. In addition, diet restriction of T. haemorrhoidale may also be determined by the use of gumfooted threads attached to tree trunks (predominantly capturing ants), while aerial webs constructed by N. tesselata are more efficient at intercepting several groups of flying insects. Together, these differences in microhabitat and web design allowed effective resource partitioning among these two dominant predators in the studied plantation forest. (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