Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) Associated with Seed Heads of Sarracenia purpurea (Sarraceniaceae) at Acadia National Park, Maine

Abstract

Abstract We discovered that spiders use seed heads of Sarracenia purpurea (Northern Pitcher Plant) for moulting, nesting, and rearing of young. These associations represent only a few of the diverse interactions between spiders and pitcher plants. During July–August 2001 at Acadia National Park, seed heads (n = 301) of S. purpurea from four bog-heaths yielded spiders (n = 685) of four families (Theridiidae, Dictynidae, Clubionidae, Salticidae), 10 genera, and at least 11 species. Two additional spider families (Gnaphosidae, Thomisidae) were represented by cast exuviae. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) were the chief occupants, comprising 80.0% of species and 99.1% of individuals. The salticid Tutelina similis was the most common inhabitant, accounting for 63.8% of the overall spider fauna in these microhabitats. Spider foraging-guild presence favored hunters (99.7%) over web spinners; juveniles outnumbered adults almost 15 to 1, and females outnumbered males 43 to 1. Frequencies of spider webbing and retreats...