The meaning of predatory specialization as illustrated by Aelurillus m-nigrum, an ant-eating jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae) from Azerbaijan

Behavioural Processes
Elchin F HuseynovFiona R Cross

Abstract

The distinctions between a predator's diet, its prey-choice behaviour and its preference are illustrated in a study of Aelurillus m-nigrum Kulczyn'ski, a salticid spider from Azerbaijan. The natural diet of A. m-nigrum was determined from records of individuals feeding in the field (N=58). Ten arthropod orders were represented. Nine were from the class Insecta (Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Psocoptera) and one from the class Arachnida (Araneae). Of 50 insects among the prey, 21 (42%) were Hymenoptera, with ants (family Formicidae) alone accounting for 31% of all prey records. Although the majority (69%) of the natural prey were not ants, results from prey-choice testing in the laboratory implied that A. m-nigrum preferred ants as prey. However, this preference was evident only when the testing environment included sand and a small stone. Our findings illustrate the importance of not conflating the concept of a predator's preference with the concept of a predator's natural diet and illustrate that physical features of a predator's habitat may be an important factor in influencing how strongly preference is expressed.

References

Jan 1, 1996·Annual Review of Entomology·R R Jackson, S D Pollard
Oct 12, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Robert R JacksonGodfrey O Sune
Jan 6, 2007·PloS One·Ximena J Nelson, Robert R Jackson

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Citations

Nov 21, 2015·Bulletin of Entomological Research·K D WelchJ D Harwood
Aug 8, 2014·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Stano Pekár, Søren Toft
Jun 13, 2015·Royal Society Open Science·Robert R JacksonFiona R Cross
Mar 3, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Stano PekárTodd A Blackledge
Jan 14, 2017·Royal Society Open Science·Robert R JacksonFiona R Cross

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