Influence Activity Patterns Research Articles

Field and laboratory activity patterns in the burrowing wolf spider Geolycosa domifex (Hancock)

The major objectives of this study were to determine the amount of time that the burrowing wolf spider Geolycosa domifex spends engaged in various types of activity in both the laboratory and field, and to test the hypothesis that these animals exhibit diel activity patterns. Seven types of activity were common. In the field, activity patterns were monitored using photocells, and in the laboratory, closed-circuit television was used. In both the field and laboratory, no statistically significant diel patterns were observed. Similar results were obtained from a single individual which was intensively studied during six time periods monitored over a 1-month period. The conclusion is that diel light patterns, sudden changes in light intensity, or endogenous rhythms do not influence activity patterns in G. domifex. The average time spent in each type of activity was (a) 3.2 min/h resting at the burrow mouth, (b) 21.3 min/h resting in the top 4 cm of the burrow, (c) 30.5 min/h below 5 cm, (d) 2.2 min/h outside the burrow, and (e) 2.8 min/h active in the top 4 cm of the burrow.