Abstract
Predator-prey interactions may be altered under human-induced rapid environmental change, such as urbanisation. Extensive clearing in urban areas may leave short-range endemic species, such as mygalomorph spiders, more vulnerable to local extinction through predation in remaining remnants. Predation rates on Australian mygalomorph spiders were assessed using clay models of two size classes (5 cm, 3 cm), during two time periods in 2016 (January–February, July–August). Size and phenology of models resembled the mygalomorph genera Aname and Teyl occurring in these local urban remnants. Local predator guilds were significantly influenced by leaf-litter cover (%) and proportion of surrounding parkland. Preference for spider vs. control models was consistent across all predator types (bird, rodent, lizard and wasp), but specialist spider wasps (Pompilidae) only attacked spider models. Generalist predators (birds, lizards and rodents) were more opportunistic. Lizards and rodents exhibit similar predation behaviour, indicating there may be some inter-specific competition. Invasive generalists (e. g. rodents) or urban adapters (e. g. corvids) are more likely to represent an increased threat to spiders than are co-evolved specialists (e.g. spider wasps).
Highlights
Since 1960 the global human population has dramatically increased and consolidated in urban centres[1,2], contributing to new processes that may threaten fauna[3,4]
Each “site_model_season” unit presents twenty-five models in the two-way table and are coded as follows: the first line refers to the patch of urban bushland and corresponds to the site map (Fig. 4), the second line of codes refers to model type (BS: 5 mm spider, BC: 5 mm control, SS: 3 mm spider and SC: 3 mm control)
The third line of code refers to season (S: Summer or W: Winter). (a) Significant (MCAO, P < 0.001) extrinsic factors were fitted using principal principal component correlation (PCC). (b) Six distinct groups emerged based on predation intrinsic factors. (c) Two-way table
Summary
Since 1960 the global human population has dramatically increased and consolidated in urban centres[1,2], contributing to new processes that may threaten fauna[3,4]. Urban adapters may have profound impact on their native prey species that still persist in patches of urban bushland. Taxa with comparatively low mobility, low-fecundity, poor dispersal and small geographic range may persist in very small natural habitat remnants in urban areas if the quality of the patch is maintained[10], and may be referred to as ‘urban engulfed’. These traits are present in many species of millipedes, snails, cicadas and mygalomorph spiders[11]. Exploring predator-prey interactions between urban wildlife will assist in understanding complex interactions, and how these may vary under HIREC
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