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Foraging in the Cave Environment: The Ecology of the Cave Spider Meta ovalis (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Rector, Meghan Anne
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259688464

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Much focus in cave biology has been placed on the evolution and population dynamics of troglobitic (cave-adapted) organisms. Troglophiles (non-adapted cave residents) have been largely ignored in studies of distribution, dispersal, and foraging in cave ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between distribution, dispersal, and foraging behaviors, and the patterns of environmental variation and light gradients in caves, and consider their potential effects on population structure in a troglophilic cave resident. To examine these relationships, I used the orb-weaving cave spider Meta ovalis (Araneae: Tetragnathidae), a troglophilic, predatory species common in caves across the eastern United States. These spiders are differentially distributed throughout caves, with sub-adults primarily in the entrance and twilight zones and adults in the twilight and dark zones. This distribution of spiders correlates with availability (capture rate) of aerial and terrestrial prey in each zone. Aerial prey items, the primary source of prey for surface orb-weavers, are most commonly captured in the entrance zone and larger, terrestrial prey the most common in dark zones. Sub-adult webs have capture spirals composed of narrowly spaced spiral lines (compared to adults) that should improve overall capture efficiency and are better suited for the entrance and twilight zones of caves where the web may act as a screen to intercept many aerial prey of low mass. The capture areas of adult webs are not significantly larger than sub-adult webs, but consist of mesh width that is wider than sub-adult webs, resulting in a more energetically efficient web that may be better suited for the lower prey availability in the twilight and dark zones of cave habitats. The distribution of a non-obligate arthropod predator throughout the terrestrial zones of caves may impact multiple aspects of the cave ecosystem, as spiders may be specialized for available prey types at specific zonal locations within a cave.
J. Andrew Roberts, PhD (Advisor)
Elizabeth Marschall, PhD (Committee Member)
Steve Rissing, PhD (Committee Member)
Biology; Ecology
Foraging; Cave; Araneae

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rector, M. A. (2009). Foraging in the Cave Environment: The Ecology of the Cave Spider Meta ovalis (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259688464

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rector, Meghan. Foraging in the Cave Environment: The Ecology of the Cave Spider Meta ovalis (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). 2009. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259688464.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rector, Meghan. "Foraging in the Cave Environment: The Ecology of the Cave Spider Meta ovalis (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259688464

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.