Ontogenetic shifts in competitive interactions and intra‐guild predation between two wolf spider species

Abstract

Abstract. 1. The wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) Hogna helluo (Walckenaer) and Pardosa milvina Hentz co‐occur in soybean fields of south‐west Ohio, U.S.A. As adults, Hogna is the larger species and has the competitive advantage in most interactions; due to differing phenologies, however, their size‐classes frequently overlap and as such there is potential for shifts in competitive ability and intra‐guild predation. The hypothesis that competitive interactions and intra‐guild predation will favour Pardosa when Pardosa is similar‐sized, or has a size advantage over Hogna, was tested in laboratory and field experiments.2. Studies in laboratory arenas, pairing similar‐sized individuals of these species and Hogna spiderlings with larger spiders of both species, revealed that intra‐guild predation seldom occurs with similar‐sized Hogna and Pardosa, however Pardosa will consume small Hogna individuals in laboratory arenas.3. Field experiments involved stocking high densities (50 m–2) of Pardosa and Hogna in enclosures placed in soybean fields. In experiments with spiders of similar size, no interspecific effects were uncovered, but an intraspecific effect was found for Pardosa as its survival and weight gain were lower in the presence of more conspecifics. Large Hogna or Pardosa had no effect on the survival or weight gain of Hogna spiderlings.4. Although Hogna is a better competitor as an adult, it has no advantage over Pardosa when their size‐classes overlap, and Pardosa effects on Hogna may be inconsequential under field conditions. Therefore, the co‐existence of these species is fostered by the fact that there are few negative interspecific interactions during their ontogeny.