Effect of corridors on the movement behavior of the jumping spider Phidippus princeps (Araneae, Salticidae)

Abstract

Corridors are a common conservation strategy intended to increase the spatial connectivity among isolated habitat patches. Corridors, however, are not always effective. This study demonstrates that corridors increase movement to new patches for the jumping spider Phidippus princeps (Peckham and Peckham, 1883) (Araneae, Salticidae), a visually oriented predator. I assigned spiders to one of three microlandscape treatments, created in an old field dominated by alsike clover ( Trifolium hybridum L.) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), in which patches were connected to (i) vegetated corridors and bare pathways, (ii) only vegetated corridors, and (iii) only bare pathways. The movement of P. princeps was effectively directed by corridors. When given a choice of paths, spiders invariably chose vegetated corridors over bare pathways to emigrate from and to immigrate to new patches. Spiders rarely moved between patches when only bare pathways were available. In the absence of corridors, P. princeps did not risk open ground to move to new habitat even though conspecific density was high. The corridors facilitated the interpatch movement of P. princeps, suggesting that P. princeps is restricted in its habitat use. Thus, a higher degree of spatial connectivity is likely to increase the exchange of individuals for species that are restricted in their movements by unsuitable habitat.