Visual mechanisms of hunting behaviour inTrite planiceps,a jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae)

Abstract

Abstract Jumping spiders rely on visual stimuli when catching their prey. Each of the hunting actions employed is mediated by one or more of the three pairs of eyes responsible for this behaviour. No function has yet been demonstrated for the tiny fourth pair of eyes. Two distinct post-detection hunting strategies are used; one enables spiders to catch their prey on the run, and the other controls the capture of stationary prey. Exclusive components of each of these strategies are (i) chasing, which is a function of the anterior-lateral eyes, and (ii) stalking, which is a function of the anterior-median eyes; collaborative visual mechanisms result in a smooth transition from one mode of behaviour to another. In addition, both strategies employ common behavioural elements that exploit specialised properties of the four anterior eyes; successful prey capture is a measure of their physiological and behavioural synchronisation. ‘Short jumps’ towards targets moving at an angular velocity of more than 15°/s are...