J 2019

Silk versus venom: alternative capture strategies employed by closely related myrmecophagous spiders

MICHÁLEK, Ondřej, Milan ŘEZÁČ, Eva LÍZNAROVÁ, William SYMONDSON, Stanislav PEKÁR et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Silk versus venom: alternative capture strategies employed by closely related myrmecophagous spiders

Authors

MICHÁLEK, Ondřej (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Milan ŘEZÁČ (203 Czech Republic), Eva LÍZNAROVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), William SYMONDSON (826 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and Stanislav PEKÁR (703 Slovakia, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, OXFORD, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2019, 0024-4066

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10600 1.6 Biological sciences

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.961

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/19:00107937

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

UT WoS

000461134900013

Keywords in English

Araneae; Callilepis; glands; Nomisia; prey capture; specialist

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 28/3/2020 13:39, Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS.

Abstract

V originále

Predators that prey on dangerous species have evolved effective capture traits. In spiders, venom and silk represent distinct substances associated with prey capture. However, the use of such adaptations comes at a cost. Based on a possible trade-off, the use of only one effective capture mechanism should be optimized if a predator is to specialize on a single type of dangerous prey. We investigated hunting strategies in two Callilepis spp. and one Nomisia species, Nomisia exornata, closely related ant-eating spiders from the family Gnaphosidae. We hypothesized that specialized Callilepis spiders would adopt a more stereotyped capture strategy compared with less specialized Nomisia. We also expected that Callilepis would rely on only one subjugation mechanism. To test this, we compared their hunting efficacy and hunting strategies, with an emphasis on venom vs. silk utilization. Nomisia restrained ants with silk (then bit them), whereas Callilepis relied solely on its venom. This was also reflected in trophic traits connected with silk and venom utilization; Callilepis had larger venom glands than Nomisia, whereas Nomisia had more piriform silk glands than Callilepis. Callilepis was more effective because it subdued prey more quickly, presumably owing to ant-specific venom. Callilepis and Nomisia handled ants from two subfamilies with different degrees of success; Callilepis was more successful with Formicinae ants, whereas Nomisia handled Myrmicinae ants better. We show that sole reliance on venom allows Callilepis to be more efficient in overcoming ants than Nomisia, which uses both silk and venom. However, such specific adaptations might restrict specialized predators from exploiting alternative prey.

Links

GA15-14762S, research and development project
Name: Koevoluce potravní-specializace a složení jedu u pavouků
Investor: Czech Science Foundation