1
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Lo YC, Blamires SJ, Liao CP, Tso IM. Nocturnal and diurnal predator and prey interactions with crab spider color polymorphs. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-023-03291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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2
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Lim W, Kang C. Spider behaviours increase trap efficacy. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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3
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Wang B, Yu L, Ma N, Zhang Z, Liu Q, Fan W, Rong Y, Zhang S, Li D. Discoid decorations function to shield juvenile Argiope spiders from avian predator attacks. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Decorating behavior is common in various animal taxa and serves a variety of functions from camouflage to communication. One predominant function cited for decoration is to avoid predators. Conspicuous, disc-like (discoid) silk decorations spun by orb-web Argiope juvenile spiders are hypothesized, among others, to defend spiders against visual predators by concealing spider outlines on the web, deflecting attacks, shielding them from view, or masquerading as bird-droppings. However, the direct evidence is limited for a specific mechanism by which discoid decorations may deter predators. Here we evaluate the mechanisms by which discoid decorations may defend Argiope juveniles against naïve chicks. Using visual modeling, we show that avian predators are able to distinguish spiders from discoid decorations. Using chick predation experiments, we found that the naïve chicks readily pecked any objects, ruling out the possibility of their neophobia. Significantly more chicks attacked spiders when they were exposed to chicks, regardless of whether their webs had discoid decorations, but few chicks attacked spiders when they were behind the decorations. We also found that significantly few chicks attacked decorations when spiders were absent or behind the decorations. We thus conclude that discoid decorations function to deter avian predators by shielding the spider from view or distracting, not by deflecting attacks, concealing the spider’s outline, or masquerading as bird-droppings. This study sheds light on the study of other similar anti-predator strategies, in a wide range of spider species and other animals that use decorating strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjun Wang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Long Yu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Nina Ma
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zengtao Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenrui Fan
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Rong
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shichang Zhang
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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4
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Kuntner M, Coddington JA. Sexual Size Dimorphism: Evolution and Perils of Extreme Phenotypes in Spiders. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 65:57-80. [PMID: 31573828 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sexual size dimorphism is one of the most striking animal traits, and among terrestrial animals, it is most extreme in certain spider lineages. The most extreme sexual size dimorphism (eSSD) is female biased. eSSD itself is probably an epiphenomenon of gendered evolutionary drivers whose strengths and directions are diverse. We demonstrate that eSSD spider clades are aberrant by sampling randomly across all spiders to establish overall averages for female (6.9 mm) and male (5.6 mm) size. At least 16 spider eSSD clades exist. We explore why the literature does not converge on an overall explanation for eSSD and propose an equilibrium model featuring clade- and context-specific drivers of gender size variation. eSSD affects other traits such as sexual cannibalism, genital damage, emasculation, and monogyny with terminal investment. Coevolution with these extreme sexual phenotypes is termed eSSD mating syndrome. Finally, as costs of female gigantism increase with size, eSSD may represent an evolutionary dead end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Kuntner
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560-0105, USA;
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jonathan A Coddington
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560-0105, USA;
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5
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Gálvez D, Nieto C, Samaniego P. Test of the prey-attraction hypothesis for the scorpion fluorescence. NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1844991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dumas Gálvez
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá, Estafeta Universitaria, Panama, Panamá
- Coiba Aip, Panama, Panamá
| | - Carolina Nieto
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama, Panamá
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6
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Opell BD, Burba CM, Deva PD, Kin MHY, Rivas MX, Elmore HM, Hendricks ML. Linking properties of an orb-weaving spider's capture thread glycoprotein adhesive and flagelliform fiber components to prey retention time. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9841-9854. [PMID: 31534698 PMCID: PMC6745672 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
An orb web's adhesive capture spiral is responsible for prey retention. This thread is formed of regularly spaced glue droplets supported by two flagelliform axial lines. Each glue droplet features a glycoprotein adhesive core covered by a hygroscopic aqueous layer, which also covers axial lines between the droplets, making the entire thread responsive to environmental humidity.We characterized the effect of relative humidity (RH) on ability of Argiope aurantia and Argiope trifasciata thread arrays to retain houseflies and characterize the effect of humidity on their droplet properties. Using these data and those of Araneus marmoreus from a previous study, we then develop a regression model that correlated glycoprotein and flagelliform fiber properties with prey retention time. The model selection process included newly determined, humidity-specific Young's modulus and toughness values for the three species' glycoproteins.Argiope aurantia droplets are more hygroscopic than A. trifasciata droplets, causing the glycoprotein within A. aurantia droplets to become oversaturated at RH greater than 55% RH and their extension to decrease, whereas A. trifasciata droplet performance increases to 72% RH. This difference is reflected in species' prey retention times, with that of A. aurantia peaking at 55% RH and that of A. trifasciata at 72% RH.Fly retention time was explained by a regression model of five variables: glue droplet distribution, flagelliform fiber work of extension, glycoprotein volume, glycoprotein thickness, and glycoprotein Young's modulus.The material properties of both glycoprotein and flagelliform fibers appear to be phylogenetically constrained, whereas natural selection can more freely act on the amount of each material invested in a thread and on components of the thread's aqueous layer. Thus, it becomes easier to understand how natural selection can tune the performance of viscous capture threads by directing small changes in these components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D. Opell
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | | | - Pritesh D. Deva
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | | | - Malik X. Rivas
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
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7
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Liao H, Liao C, Blamires SJ, Tso I. Multifunctionality of an arthropod predator’s body coloration. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hsien‐Chun Liao
- Department of Life Science Tunghai University Taichung Taiwan
| | - Chen‐Pan Liao
- Department of Life Science Tunghai University Taichung Taiwan
- Department of Biology National Museum of Natural Science Taichung Taiwan
| | - Sean J. Blamires
- Department of Life Science Tunghai University Taichung Taiwan
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales
| | - I‐Min Tso
- Department of Life Science Tunghai University Taichung Taiwan
- Center for Tropical Ecology and Biodiversity Tunghai University Taichung Taiwan
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8
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Walter A. Tracing the evolutionary origin of a visual signal: the coincidence of wrap attack and web decorating behaviours in orb web spiders (Araneidae). Evol Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-018-9930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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9
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Li C, Sun A. Extracting fine-grained location with temporal awareness in tweets: A two-stage approach. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/asi.23816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chenliang Li
- State Key Lab of Software Engineering; School of Computer, Wuhan University; Wuhan 430079 China
| | - Aixin Sun
- School of Computer Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore 639798
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10
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Abstract
The view that orb webs are imperceptible traps has changed since it was discovered that some spiders possess body colorations or web designs that are attractive to prey. Spiders of the genera Argiope and Nephila exemplify both cases and are able to adjust their webs to increase foraging success. In this study, I compared the foraging strategies of A. submanorica and N. clavipes as they foraged on the same natural prey (stingless bees). Argiope submanorica adds UV-reflective decorations while N. clavipes builds non-UV-reflective golden webs. Based on studies that suggest a lack of niche separation between these two species, the objective of this study was to test whether this hypothesis holds when the spiders are competing for a limited resource. In addition, I investigated whether the colorations of the spiders influence their foraging success. The golden webs of N. clavipes intercepted more bees than the decorated webs of A. submanorica, suggesting that some type of niche separation must occur in nature, as otherwise competition would lead to the local extinction of A. submanorica. These differences in foraging success, leading to its ability to outcompete other spider species exploiting the same resource, could explain in part the abundance and distribution of the N. clavipes on the American continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumas Gálvez
- INDICASAT-AIP, Building 219, City of Knowledge, Clayton, Panama, Rep. of Panama, P.O. Box 0843-01103, Panama 5
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad de Panamá, Avenida Simón Bolívar, 0824 Panama
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11
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Tan J, Chan ZY, Lim PE, Koh JKH, Yong HS. A multigene approach to determine the molecular phylogeography of Argiope mangal and Argiope dang (Araneae: Araneidae) and their genetic relationships with the Argiope aetherea species group. BIOCHEM SYST ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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Walter A, Elgar MA. Signal polymorphism under a constant environment: the odd cross in a web decorating spider. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 103:93. [PMID: 27787598 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1415-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The quality of many animal signals varies, perhaps through their use in different contexts or by representing an adaptive response to reduce the risk of exploitation. Spiders of the orb weaver genus Argiope add linear, cruciate or circular silk structures to their orb webs, creating inter- and intra-specific polymorphic visual signals. Different decoration patterns are frequently attributed to different signal effects, but this view is contradicted by commonly observed intraspecific variation in decorating behaviour. Adults of Argiope mascordi are bimodal web decorators, building two distinct patterns, circular and cruciate silk structures. We investigated the variation of patterns under controlled, invariant laboratory conditions. Circular decorations were most frequent, but individuals often switch to the other pattern. This variation neither increased nor decreased over time, suggesting that pattern variability is primarily intrinsic rather than an exclusive response to environmental changes. Accordingly, we discuss the evolutionary implications in the light of the conservation of a single signal function through maintaining the variation of its quality and the alternative view that silk decorations may not represent adaptive signals at all.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Walter
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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13
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Evolutionary Pathways Maintaining Extreme Female-Biased Sexual Size Dimorphism: Convergent Spider Cases Defy Common Patterns. Evol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41324-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Top down and bottom up selection drives variations in frequency and form of a visual signal. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9543. [PMID: 25828030 PMCID: PMC4406052 DOI: 10.1038/srep09543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency and form of visual signals can be shaped by selection from predators, prey or both. When a signal simultaneously attracts predators and prey, selection may favour a strategy that minimizes risks while attracting prey. Accordingly, varying the frequency and form of the silken decorations added to their web may be a way that Argiope spiders minimize predation while attracting prey. Nonetheless, the role of extraneous factors renders the influences of top down and bottom up selection on decoration frequency and form variation difficult to discern. Here we used dummy spiders and decorations to simulate four possible strategies that the spider Argiope aemula may choose and measured the prey and predator attraction consequences for each in the field. The strategy of decorating at a high frequency with a variable form attracted the most prey, while that of decorating at a high frequency with a fixed form attracted the most predators. These results suggest that mitigating the cost of attracting predators while maintaining prey attraction drives the use of variation in decoration form by many Argiope spp. when decorating frequently. Our study highlights the importance of considering top-down and bottom up selection pressure when devising evolutionary ecology experiments.
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15
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16
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Vidergar N, Toplak N, Kuntner M. Streamlining DNA barcoding protocols: automated DNA extraction and a new cox1 primer in arachnid systematics. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113030. [PMID: 25415202 PMCID: PMC4240537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA barcoding is a popular tool in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, but for most animal lineages protocols for obtaining the barcoding sequences—mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (cox1 AKA CO1)—are not standardized. Our aim was to explore an optimal strategy for arachnids, focusing on the species-richest lineage, spiders by (1) improving an automated DNA extraction protocol, (2) testing the performance of commonly used primer combinations, and (3) developing a new cox1 primer suitable for more efficient alignment and phylogenetic analyses. Methodology We used exemplars of 15 species from all major spider clades, processed a range of spider tissues of varying size and quality, optimized genomic DNA extraction using the MagMAX Express magnetic particle processor—an automated high throughput DNA extraction system—and tested cox1 amplification protocols emphasizing the standard barcoding region using ten routinely employed primer pairs. Results The best results were obtained with the commonly used Folmer primers (LCO1490/HCO2198) that capture the standard barcode region, and with the C1-J-2183/C1-N-2776 primer pair that amplifies its extension. However, C1-J-2183 is designed too close to HCO2198 for well-interpreted, continuous sequence data, and in practice the resulting sequences from the two primer pairs rarely overlap. We therefore designed a new forward primer C1-J-2123 60 base pairs upstream of the C1-J-2183 binding site. The success rate of this new primer (93%) matched that of C1-J-2183. Conclusions The use of C1-J-2123 allows full, indel-free overlap of sequences obtained with the standard Folmer primers and with C1-J-2123 primer pair. Our preliminary tests suggest that in addition to spiders, C1-J-2123 will also perform in other arachnids and several other invertebrates. We provide optimal PCR protocols for these primer sets, and recommend using them for systematic efforts beyond DNA barcoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vidergar
- Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Molecular Virology lab, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology–ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Matjaž Kuntner
- Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology & Evolution, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Cheng RC, Kuntner M. Phylogeny suggests nondirectional and isometric evolution of sexual size dimorphism in argiopine spiders. Evolution 2014; 68:2861-72. [PMID: 25130435 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism describes substantial differences between male and female phenotypes. In spiders, sexual dimorphism research almost exclusively focuses on size, and recent studies have recovered steady evolutionary size increases in females, and independent evolutionary size changes in males. Their discordance is due to negative allometric size patterns caused by different selection pressures on male and female sizes (converse Rensch's rule). Here, we investigated macroevolutionary patterns of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in Argiopinae, a global lineage of orb-weaving spiders with varying degrees of SSD. We devised a Bayesian and maximum-likelihood molecular species-level phylogeny, and then used it to reconstruct sex-specific size evolution, to examine general hypotheses and different models of size evolution, to test for sexual size coevolution, and to examine allometric patterns of SSD. Our results, revealing ancestral moderate sizes and SSD, failed to reject the Brownian motion model, which suggests a nondirectional size evolution. Contrary to predictions, male and female sizes were phylogenetically correlated, and SSD evolution was isometric. We interpret these results to question the classical explanations of female-biased SSD via fecundity, gravity, and differential mortality. In argiopines, SSD evolution may be driven by these or additional selection mechanisms, but perhaps at different phylogenetic scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Chung Cheng
- Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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18
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O'Hanlon JC. The Roles of Colour and Shape in Pollinator Deception in the Orchid MantisHymenopus coronatus. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James C. O'Hanlon
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; North Ryde NSW Australia
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19
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Sequential origin in the high performance properties of orb spider dragline silk. Sci Rep 2012; 2:782. [PMID: 23110251 PMCID: PMC3482764 DOI: 10.1038/srep00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major ampullate (MA) dragline silk supports spider orb webs, combining strength and extensibility in the toughest biomaterial. MA silk evolved ~376 MYA and identifying how evolutionary changes in proteins influenced silk mechanics is crucial for biomimetics, but is hindered by high spinning plasticity. We use supercontraction to remove that variation and characterize MA silk across the spider phylogeny. We show that mechanical performance is conserved within, but divergent among, major lineages, evolving in correlation with discrete changes in proteins. Early MA silk tensile strength improved rapidly with the origin of GGX amino acid motifs and increased repetitiveness. Tensile strength then maximized in basal entelegyne spiders, ~230 MYA. Toughness subsequently improved through increased extensibility within orb spiders, coupled with the origin of a novel protein (MaSp2). Key changes in MA silk proteins therefore correlate with the sequential evolution high performance orb spider silk and could aid design of biomimetic fibers.
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BLAMIRES SEANJ, WU CHUNLIN, BLACKLEDGE TODDA, TSO IMIN. Environmentally induced post-spin property changes in spider silks: influences of web type, spidroin composition and ecology. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01884.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Walter A, Elgar MA. The evolution of novel animal signals: silk decorations as a model system. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2012; 87:686-700. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2012.00219.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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22
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Trap barricading and decorating by a well-armored sit-and-wait predator: extra protection or prey attraction? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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23
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Blamires SJ, Lai CH, Cheng RC, Liao CP, Shen PS, Tso IM. Body spot coloration of a nocturnal sit-and-wait predator visually lures prey. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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24
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Signals for damage control: web decorations in Argiope keyserlingi (Araneae: Araneidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1200-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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25
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Blamires SJ, Lee YH, Chang CM, Lin IT, Chen JA, Lin TY, Tso IM. Multiple structures interactively influence prey capture efficiency in spider orb webs. Anim Behav 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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26
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Blamires SJ. Plasticity in extended phenotypes: orb web architectural responses to variations in prey parameters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 213:3207-12. [PMID: 20802123 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.045583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A spider orb web is an extended phenotype; it modifies and interacts with the environment, influencing spider physiology. Orb webs are plastic, responding to variations in prey parameters. Studies attempting to understand how nutrients influence spider orb-web plasticity have been hampered by the inability to decouple prey nutrients from other, highly correlated, prey factors and the intrinsic link between prey protein and prey energy concentration. I analyzed the nutrient concentrations of cockroaches, and adult and juvenile crickets to devise experiments that controlled prey protein concentration while varying prey size, ingested mass, energy concentration and feeding frequency of the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi. I found that A. keyserlingi alters overall architecture according to feeding frequency. Decoration length was inversely related to ingested prey mass and/or energy density in one experiment but directly related to ingested prey mass in another. These contradictory results suggest that factors not examined in this study have a confounding influence on decoration plasticity. As decorations attract prey as well as predators decreasing decoration investment may, in some instances, be attributable to benefits no longer outweighing the risks. Web area was altered according to feeding frequency, and mesh size altered according to feeding frequency and prey length. The number of radii in orb webs was unaffected by prey parameters. A finite amount of silk can be invested in the orb web, so spiders trade-off smaller mesh size with larger web capture area, explaining why feeding frequency influenced both web area and mesh size. Mesh size is additionally responsive to prey size via sensory cues, with spiders constructing webs suitable for catching the most common or most profitable prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J Blamires
- School of Biological Science, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
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