Araneophagy as an alternative foraging tactic to kleptoparasitism in two Argyrodinae (Araneae: Theridiidae) species

Autor(es)

Meira, Felipe Andre ^[1] ; Moura, Rafael Rios ^{[1, 2]} ; Gonzaga, Marcelo Oliveira ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao Recursos Nat, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estado Minas Gerais, Dept Ciencias Biol, Nucleo Extensao & Pesquisa Ecol & Evolucao NEPEE, Ituiutaba, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Behavioural Processes; v. 189, AUG 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Kleptoparasitism is assumed to be the main foraging strategy in some animal groups, such as the spiders of the subfamily Argyrodinae (Theridiidae). However, some species may also feed on silk threads, egg sacs, or even their hosts. The conditions determining these alternative foraging tactics remain unknown for most species. We performed field observations, stable isotope analysis and laboratory experiments to investigate kleptoparasitism and araneophagy of Argyrodes elevatus and Faiditus caudatus in webs of Manogea porracea (Araneidae). We evaluated the following hypotheses: (1) both species exhibit higher trophic positions than their hosts and closest to an araneophagic sympatric species; (2) host web selection is influenced by the presence of alternative resources (adult male and female, and egg sacs); and (3) they preferentially consume egg sacs instead of stored prey items. Both argyrodines showed higher trophic positions than their female hosts and closest to an araneophagic spider species. The invaders were found mainly on host webs with one adult and egg sacs and with egg sacs only. Finally, A. elevatus preferred to feed on prey captured by the host spider instead of egg sacs. We discussed the factors that can potentially determine the choices between foraging exclusively as kleptoparasites and consuming the hosts. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/14196-5 - Variações interpopulacionais no sistema de acasalamento e sucesso reprodutivo de Manogea porracea (Araneae, Araneidae), uma aranha com cuidado anfisexual
• Beneficiário: Rafael Rios Moura
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado