Egg sac construction and camouflage behaviors of Deinopis cf. cylindracea (Araneae: Deinopidae)

Abstract

Spiders exhibit various egg sac construction behaviors using camouflage to protect the eggs from predators and parasitoids and also perform parental care to increase offspring survival. In this study, we describe the egg sac construction behavior of Deinopis cf. cylindracea, and the camouflage characteristics of egg sac when left without the female's active protection. Our observations showed that D. cf. cylindracea builds a fairly compact egg sac, with an outermost layer composed of dense silk. This outermost layer is dark brown, perhaps to camouflage with the substrate on which the egg sac is deposited. Moreover, females tend to hide their egg sacs with dry leaves in the litter. In addition, the overall color, shape, and size of the egg sac resemble the dry seeds of Plinia cauliflora, the plant on which D. cf. cylindracea was found. Two female spiders were positioned on their egg sacs; however, whether this behavior reflects maternal care remains unknown. Therefore, the overall egg sac construction behavior of D. cf. cylindracea may be related to a strategy for increasing fitness. This is the first behavioral record for a South American deinopid species.