Can solitary spiders (Araneae) cooperate in prey capture?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Animal Ecology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | myrmecophagy; social; group hunting; kleptobiosis; evolution |
| Description | Cooperation in prey capture has never been reported for a solitary spider. Here, we conducted a laboratory experiment to determine if group hunting occurs in the ant-eating Zodarion spiders and if it yields higher individual benefit than solitary prey capture. Spiderlings of the second instar were kept in groups of 1, 3 and 6 individuals. Their foraging behaviour was studied with two ant species as prey: a large Messor and a small Tapinoma. Groups of 3 and 6 spiders had better capture success than a single individual. The paralysis time of Messor was reduced as the number of spiders in a group increased while that of Tapinoma ants was similar for all group sizes. The feeding time on Messor increased with the number of spiders in a group, even all 6 individuals could feed simultaneously. |
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