Prey‐capture techniques and prey preferences of Zenodorus durvillei, Z. metallescens and Z. orbiculatus, tropical ant‐eating jumping spiders (Araneae: Saiticidae) from Australia

Abstract

Capture techniques and preferences of Zenodorus durvillei (Walckenaer), Z. metallescens (L. Koch) and Z. orbiculatus, Australian salticids that feed on ants in nature, were studied in the laboratory using a wide variety of ants and other insects. Each species adopted three prey‐capture modes: ambush, active pursuit in the open, and gleaning from spider webs. Large ants were sometimes stabbed several times before holding on. A variety of methods were used for testing preference. The potential of using this assortment of methods for assessing strength of preferences is discussed. Each species took dolichoderine, formicine, myrmecine, myrmicine and pseudomyrmecine ants in preference to a variety of other insects (aphids, bugs, caterpillars, crickets, flies, lacewings, mantises, mayflies, midges, mosquitoes, moths, plant and leaf hoppers, and termites). Testing with laboratory‐reared spiders showed that the development of preference for ants and ant‐specific prey‐capture behaviour did not depend on prior experience with ants. Tests with dead, motionless lures showed that each species could distinguish between ants and other types of prey independent of the different movement patterns of the prey. Preferences were intact after 7‐day and 14‐day fasts, but not after 21‐day fasts when prey were outside webs. When prey were in webs, preference for ants persisted even after 21‐day fasts. Findings are discussed in relation to other studies on specialised salticids and in relation to the structure and function of the salticid eye.