Evidence for woodlice-specialization in Dysdera spiders: behavioural versus developmental approaches
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Physiological Entomology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Physiology |
| Keywords | Generalist; metabolic adaptation; oniscophagy; specialist; woodlice |
| Description | The dietary specialization in a woodlouse-eating spider Dysdera hungarica Kulczynski (Araneae: Dysderidae) is studied using two types of laboratory experiments. In the first experiment, the rate of development of spiderlings reared on one of three diets: pure woodlice [composed of two species Oniscus asellus Linnaeus and Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille)]; pure flies ( Drosophila melanogaster Meigen); and a mixed woodlouse-fly diet, is studied. Spiders develop significantly faster on the woodlice-containing diets (i.e. pure woodlice and mixed diet) than on the fly diet. In the second experiment, the prey-choice for two woodlice species ( O. asellus and A. vulgare ) and a fly ( D. melanogaster ) is investigated. Dysdera hungarica spiders capture significantly more often flies than woodlice. These contrasting results reveal the different value of developmental and behavioural experiments. |
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