Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


osu1086114717.pdf (619.95 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Plant nectar contributes to the survival, activity, growth, and fecundity of the nectar-feeding wandering spider Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae)

Taylor, Robin M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1086114717

Abstract Details

2004, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Spiders are valued for their predation of insect pests, and, evaluated as an “assemblage” of species that employ different predatory strategies, constitute a natural biological control, particularly in agricultural crops. Spiders are obligate carnivores, requiring prey for normal growth, development, and reproduction. Because biologists have worked under the assumption that spiders are exclusively carnivorous, studies of the ecology of spiders and their acquisition and allocation of energy have assumed that prey is the single object of any spider’s foraging. The discovery in 1984 that orb-weaving spiderlings benefited nutritionally from pollen grains incidentally trapped by their webs, which they eat and recycle, was noteworthy. Growing evidence indicates that a large group of spiders may routinely exploit another plant-based food source: plant nectar. Observations of nectar feeding have been reported among crab spiders (Thomisidae), jumping spiders (Salticidae), and running spiders (Anyphaenidae, Clubionidae, and Corinnidae), all non-webbuilding wanderers that occupy vegetation. Spiders have the capacity to detect and digest plant nectar, and spiders that wander in vegetation are able to encounter nectar. Lab experiments show that newly emerged prey-deprived spiders live longer if they are provided with sucrose, a nectar proxy. My laboratory experiments show that plant nectar contributed significantly to the survival of newly emerged Hibana velox Becker (Anyphaenidae), and to the survival, growth, activity, and fecundity, of Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae, formerly in Clubionidae). Both are highly active nocturnal running (also called “sac”) spiders. Experiments with C. inclusum measuring nighttime activity, and measuring the effects of adding plant nectar to varying levels of prey, the eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), suggest that the simple sugars of plant nectar fuel the spider’s energetic activity, allowing the nutritional benefits of prey to be allocated to growth and reproduction. Spiders receiving a marginal amount of prey, for example, were able to mature and reproduce only if they also received plant nectar. During two successive growing seasons, nearly one third, and one quarter (respectively) of wandering spiders sampled from nectar-producing cotton plants tested positive for fructose, a plant-derived sugar. Pilot studies also showed increased survival and molting in C. inclusum provided with honeydew.
Richard Bradley (Advisor)
139 p.
spider; nectar; nectar feeding; extrafloral; activity; fecundity; reproduction

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Taylor, R. M. (2004). Plant nectar contributes to the survival, activity, growth, and fecundity of the nectar-feeding wandering spider Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae) [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1086114717

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Taylor, Robin. Plant nectar contributes to the survival, activity, growth, and fecundity of the nectar-feeding wandering spider Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae). 2004. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1086114717.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Taylor, Robin. "Plant nectar contributes to the survival, activity, growth, and fecundity of the nectar-feeding wandering spider Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae)." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1086114717

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1086114717
2,530
© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.