Armoured spiderman: morphological and behavioural adaptations of a specialised araneophagous predator (Araneae: Palpimanidae)

0361439 - ÚOCHB 2012 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Pekár, S. - Šobotník, Jan - Lubin, Y.
Armoured spiderman: morphological and behavioural adaptations of a specialised araneophagous predator (Araneae: Palpimanidae).
Science of Nature. Roč. 98, č. 7 (2011), s. 593-603. ISSN 0028-1042. E-ISSN 1432-1904
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z40550506
Keywords : prey specificity * stenophagy * predatory behaviour * trophic niche * spider
Subject RIV: CC - Organic Chemistry
Impact factor: 2.278, year: 2011

We investigated potential and actual prey of two Palpimanus spiders to support the prediction that these are araneophagous predators. Both species captured a wide assortment of spider species but also a few insect species. Behavioural capture adaptations include a slow, stealthy approach to the prey followed by a very fast attack. Morphological capture adaptations include scopulae on forelegs used in grabbing prey body parts, stout forelegs to hold the prey firmly, and and extremely thick cuticle all over the body preventing injury from a counter bite of the prey.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198750