Salticid Species Research Articles

Variation in Predator Recognition Across Three Species of Jumping Spiders (Salticidae)

The ability to recognize threats and to respond in a timely and appropriate manner carries significant benefits. Depending on the recognition task, this can be cognitively demanding. The zebra jumping spider (Salticus scenicus) is capable of visually recognizing static predator stimuli and reacts via a robust “freeze and retreat,” a potentially innate response in this species. Here, we extend this finding, asking whether the ability of spiderlings to recognize a static predator and to initiate an escape response is common across juvenile salticids, and if so, whether there is species-specific variation of anti-predator responses. We found that captive-reared spiderlings of three European salticid species from different genera (Heliophanus cf. cupreus, Evarcha arcuata, Marpissa muscosa) were able to robustly recognize and retreat from a stationary predator stimulus. Additionally, we found differences in the reaction times between the species as well as different behavioral repertoires associated with the escape response which may reflect species-specific predator avoidance strategies.

Background matching can reduce responsiveness of jumping spiders to stimuli in motion.

Motion and camouflage were previously considered to be mutually exclusive, as sudden movements can be easily detected. Background matching, for instance, is a well-known, effective camouflage strategy where the colour and pattern of a stationary animal match its surrounding background. However, background matching may lose its efficacy when the animal moves, as the boundaries of the animal become more defined against its background. Recent evidence shows otherwise, as camouflaged objects can be less detectable than uncamouflaged objects even while in motion. Here, we explored whether the detectability of computer-generated stimuli varies with the speed of motion, background (matching and unmatching) and size of stimuli in six species of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae). Our results showed that, in general, the responsiveness of all six salticid species tested decreased with increasing stimulus speed regardless of whether the stimuli were conspicuous or camouflaged. Importantly, salticid responses to camouflaged stimuli were significantly lower compared with those to conspicuous stimuli. There were significant differences in motion detectability across species when the stimuli were conspicuous, suggesting differences in visual acuity in closely related species of jumping spiders. Furthermore, small stimuli elicited significantly lower responses than large stimuli across species and speeds. Our results thus suggest that background matching is effective even when stimuli are in motion, reducing the detectability of moving stimuli.

Deciphering mysteries: On the identity of five enigmatic jumping spiders from Northeast India, China and Philippines (Araneae, Salticidae)

The type specimens of salticid species from Northeast India described by B. K. Biswas and K. Biswas kept in the National Zoological Collections, Kolkata were studied. Four new synonyms are recognized: Marpissa mizoramensis Biswas & Biswas, 2007 syn. nov. and Evarcha optabilis (Fox, 1937) syn. nov. with Evarcha flavocincta (C.L. Koch, 1846), and Phidippus tirapensis Biswas & Biswas, 2006 syn. nov. and Hyllus maskaranus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 syn. nov. with Hyllus diardi (Walckenaer, 1837). A new combination is proposed: Pancorius manipuriensis (Biswas & Biswas, 2007) comb. nov. (ex. Marpissa). P. manipuriensis is illustrated for the first time and redescribed based on the type material. Detailed digital illustrations of the examined type material and distributional map are also provided.

Ein Beitrag zur Springspinnenfauna (Araneae: Salticidae) der Kanarischen Inseln mit der Erstbeschreibung von Euophrys arnograbollei spec. nov.

During several trips to the Canary Islands, 23 species of jumping spiders in 14 genera were recorded. One of the species, Euophrys arnograbollei spec. nov., is described as new. Three other species, Menemerus fagei Berland & Millot, 1941, Pellenes arciger (Walckenaer, 1837) and Phlegra lineata (C. L. Koch, 1846) are recorded for the Canaries for the first time. For another eight salticid species first records are provided for islands on which they had not been recorded previously. In addition, the male and female of Euophrys canariensis Denis, 1941 are redescribed in detail in the context of the new description of Euophrys arnograbollei spec. nov. The status of Evarcha eriki Wunderlich, 1987 as a valid species is re-established.

Five new species of Synagelides Strand, 1906 from China (Araneae, Salticidae).

Five new species of salticids were collected from China: Synagelidesemangou Liu, sp. nov. (♂, ♀) from Gansu province, and S.jinding Liu, sp. nov. (♂), S.serratus Liu, sp. nov. (♂, ♀), S.shuqiang Liu, sp. nov. (♂), and S.triangulatus Liu, sp. nov. (♀) from Jiangxi Province. All species are described and illustrated with photographs and SEM micrographs, and their distributions are also mapped.

Nontarget Impacts of Herbicides on Spiders in Orchards.

Spiders are key predators in many agroecosystems, including orchards. Despite the importance of spiders in biological control, pesticide nontarget effects on this group are poorly described. This is especially true for herbicides, which spiders frequently encounter as they move between the ground cover and tree canopy. We sought to determine the nontarget effects of seven herbicides used in orchards on three species of spiders that are commonly found in Washington state (USA) orchards: Pelegrina aeneola (Curtis) (Araneae: Salticidae), Philodromus cespitum (Walckenaer) (Araneae: Philodromidae), and Phanias watonus (Chamberlin & Ivie) (Araneae: Salticidae). Immature spiders were collected from orchards and used in laboratory assays. Single spiders were placed in vials with dried herbicide residues and mortality was evaluated after 1, 2, and 5 d. We also evaluated herbicide impacts on prey consumption rates and on spider movement using motion-tracking software. Only oxyfluorfen caused significant spider mortality. P. cespitum seemed to be less acutely sensitive to oxyfluorfen than the two salticid species. Several herbicide treatments significantly increased locomotion in P. cespitum, whereas rimsulfuron numerically decreased movement of P. aeneola. Sulfonylurea herbicides (rimsulfuron, halosulfuron) decreased prey consumption of P. aeneola. Our work indicates that although spiders may be less acutely sensitive to some pesticides than beneficial insects, they can be affected by sublethal effects of herbicides. Future work should determine if herbicide applications impact spider abundance in the field and reduce biological control services. In general, more work is needed on the impacts of herbicides on natural enemies.

Spatial acuity-sensitivity trade-off in the principal eyes of a jumping spider: possible adaptations to a 'blended' lifestyle.

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are diurnal visual predators known for elaborate, vision-mediated behaviour achieved through the coordinated work of four pairs of camera-type eyes. One pair ('principal' eyes) is responsible for colour and high spatial acuity vision, while three pairs ('secondary' eyes) are mostly responsible for motion detection. Based on its unusual capacity to visually discriminate specific prey in very low, but also under bright light settings, we investigated the structure of the principal and one pair of secondary eyes (antero-lateral eyes) of Cyrba algerina to determine how these eyes achieve the sensitivity, while maintaining spatial acuity, needed to sustain behaviour in low light. Compared to salticids that live in bright light, the principal eyes of C. algerina have a short focal length, and wide contiguous twin rhabdomeres that support optical pooling, overall favouring sensitivity (0.39 μm2), but without fully compromising acuity (12.4 arc min). The antero-lateral eye retinae have large receptors surrounded by pigment granules, providing effective shielding from scattered light. These adaptations may be beneficial for a xeric salticid species with a 'blended' lifestyle: generally living and hunting under stones in the dark, but sometimes venturing above them, in dramatically different light conditions.

Jump takeoff in a small jumping spider.

Jumping in animals presents an interesting locomotory strategy as it requires the generation of large forces and accurate timing. Jumping in arachnids is further complicated by their semi-hydraulic locomotion system. Among arachnids, jumping spiders (Family Salticidae) are agile and dexterous jumpers. However, less is known about jumping in small salticid species. Here we used Habronattus conjunctus, a small jumping spider (body length ~ 4.5mm) to examine its jumping performance and compare it to that of other jumping spiders and insects. We also explored how legs are used during the takeoff phase of jumps. Jumps were staged between two raised platforms. We analyzed jumping videos with DeepLabCut to track 21 points on the cephalothorax, abdomen, and legs. By analyzing leg liftoff and extension patterns, we found evidence that H. conjunctus primarily uses the third legs to power jumps. We also found that H. conjunctus jumps achieve lower takeoff speeds and accelerations than most other jumping arthropods, including other jumping spiders. Habronattus conjunctus takeoff time was similar to other jumping arthropods of the same body mass. We discuss the mechanical benefits and drawbacks of a semi-hydraulic system of locomotion and consider how small spiders may extract dexterous jumps from this locomotor system.

Widespread army ant aversion among East African jumping spiders (Salticidae)

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) typically prey on a variety of arthropods of similar size to themselves, but rarely on ants. Using 28 salticid species from East Africa, we first investigated vision-based aversion to ants by recording latency to enter a transparent sealed chamber flanked by chambers containing living army ants (Dorylus sp.) or tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) of comparable size. For all species, entry latency was significantly longer when the stimuli were ants. In another experiment, we used dead ants and tsetse flies mounted in a life-like posture as stimuli; except for Goleba puella, a species with unusual retinal ultrastructure, we again found significantly longer entry latency when the stimuli were ants. Our findings imply that these salticids express an aversion specifically to ants even when restricted to using vision alone and, except for G. puella, even when relying on solely the static appearance of the insects. Having used salticids from laboratory cultures with no prior experience with ants, our findings are consistent with vision-based aversion to army ants being innate.

Distance assessment of detours by jumping spiders.

To take an indirect route (detour) in order to reach a specific target requires complex cognitive processes. Yet more demanding, from the cognitive point of view, is when the goal is only visible at the beginning of the detour. In spiders from the family Salticidae, vision is a key sensory modality mediating navigation and prey search. Their acute vision allows them to perform complicated detours, possibly as a consequence of the multitude of potential routes in their typically complex 3-dimensional habitats. We used a 4-route choice test, in which routes differed in being either short or long and in the presence or absence of a lure of a prey item, to investigate route assessment in 2 salticid species, Trite planiceps and Marpissa marina. Although both species showed evidence of motivation to follow lured-routes, judging by the number of times they re-oriented toward them while detouring, we found that Trite chose short routes in preference to long routes, but did not prefer the lured-routes. In contrast, Marpissa exhibited random route choice, although it oriented toward lured-routes more often than control routes (lure absent). Our results suggest that decision-making processes about which route to take occurs before embarking on a route, but this is cognitively challenging. Spiders exhibited cognitive limitations in which the lack of visibility of the goal affected success. However, the severity of cognitive limitations depended on species. We suggest that variability in spatial ability across the Salticidae may be related to the habitat complexity inhabited by each species.

Risk assessment and the use of novel shortcuts in spatial detouring tasks in jumping spiders

AbstractSelection on individuals that incorporate risk to quickly and accurately make a priori navigational assessments may lead to increased spatial ability. Jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) are characterized by their highly acute vision, which mediates many behaviors, including prey capture and navigation. When moving to a specific goal (prey, nest, a potential mate, etc.), salticids rely on visual cues and spatial memory to orient in 3-dimensional space. Salticid spatial ability has been studied in homing and detour tasks, with Portia being considered one of the most skillful genera in terms of spatial ability in the family. Commonly living in complex environments, salticids are likely to encounter a wide variety of routes that could lead to a goal, and, as selection favors individuals that can accurately make assessments, they may be able to assess alternative route distances to select the most efficient route. Here, we tested whether 2 salticid species (Portia fimbriata and Trite planiceps) can discriminate and assess between different available routes by their length, and riskiness to escape from a stressful scenario. Results suggest that while Portia is more likely to choose the easiest and shortest escape routes, Trite is faster in both decision making about which route to take, and to escape. However, some individuals were able to use novel shortcuts instead of the routes expected, with Portia containing a higher proportion of shortcut-takers than Trite. These differences in spatial ability seem to correspond with the environmental complexity inhabited by each species.

Jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) in agroecosystems: a case study to know how friendly some crops can be for native fauna

ABSTRACTAs part of a fragmented landscape, yerba mate and tea are perennial agroecosystems that provide habitat continuity for diverse arthropods. Our objective was to characterize the influence of these two agroecosystems on the native fauna of salticids, measuring the levels of richness, diversity, and density. We hypothesized that the agroecosystems studied do not differ in their capacity to function as reservoirs for the regional fauna of spiders. Each sample comprised suctioning the vegetation in an area of 1 m3 for one minute using a Garden-Vacuum. Twenty-five species of salticids were found. Naubolus posticatus, Chira spinosa, Scopocira histrio and Maeota dichrura were dominant, accounting for more than 20% of the total. Spider densities were similar, 2.21 and 2.47 individuals/m3 in yerba mate and tea. The complexity of the plants was adequate for accommodating several species of salticids. Both crops were also similar in richness and diversity, shared at least 44% of the species, and held more than one fifth of the known richness in the Misiones Atlantic Forest. The discovery of species from an adjacent ecoregion suggests that these crops serve as a reservoir for the fauna and can also act as corridors in the ecotone zone.

Dim-light vision in jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae): identification of prey and rivals.

Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are known for their intricate vision-based behavior during encounters with prey and conspecific individuals. This is achieved using eyes specialized for discerning fine detail, but there has been minimal research on the capacity that salticids might have for visual performance under low ambient light levels. Here, we investigated the capacity of two salticid species, Cyrba algerina from Portugal and Cyrbaocellata from Kenya, to perform two specific visual tasks under low ambient light levels. We used lures made from spiders and midges in prey-identification experiments and mirror images (virtual conspecifics) in rival-identification experiments. These experiments were implemented under a range of ambient light levels (234, 1.35, 0.54, 0.24 cd m-2). In most instances, Calgerina and Cocellata were proficient at performing both of these visual tasks when ambient light was 234 and 1.35 cd m-2, and a minority performed these tasks at 0.54 cd m-2, but none succeeded when the light level was 0.24 cd m-2Cyrbaalgerina and C. ocellata showed vision-based discrimination under low ambient light levels previously associated with nocturnal species.

Chromosomal analyses of Salticinae and Lyssomaninae reveal a broad occurrence of the 2n♂ = 28, X1X20 karyotype within Salticidae

Brazil possesses the richest fauna of Salticidae in the world, including 560 species; however, no representative of the Brazilian fauna has been cytogenetically analyzed up to now. It has been demonstrated that karyotype data are a useful source for discussions on the phylogeny and chromosome differentiation of some salticid lineages. In this work, the first chromosome study of salticid species from Brazil is presented, with the addition of five genera to the 38 previously investigated worldwide. The analysis of mitotic and/or meiotic cells revealed 2n♂ = 28, X1X20 in Asaracus sp., Coryphasia sp., Chira sp., Frigga quintensis (Tullgren, 1905), and Lyssomanes pauper Mello-Leitão, 1945. This karyotype constitution is the most common for Salticidae, occurring in species of distinct clades. The diploid number 2n♀ = 28 observed in Hasarius adansoni (Audouin, 1826) is unexpected, differing in one autosomal pair from the karyotype previously registered for males of the same species. The cytogenetic information reported here reinforces the wide occurence of 2n♂ = 28, X1X20 within Salticidae, including species belonging to different clades and biogeographical regions. This karyotype is a shared character of Salticidae Philodromidae, found exclusively in these families within Dionycha, suggesting its sister relationship already proposed in the literature.

A new <I>Chinattus</I> species (Araneae: Salticidae) from Amami-Oshima Island, Japan

A new salticid species of the genus Chinattus is described as Chinattus falco sp. nov. For the present, this species is known from only Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the male palp with not-hooked retrolateral tibial apophysis and epigyne with slender scape.

A new species of the genus <I>Icius</I> (Araneae: Salticidae) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan

A new salticid species of the genus Icius is described as Icius rugosus, from Mukojima, Anijima and Hahajima Islands of the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. This species resembles the generic type I. hamatus (C. L. Koch 1846) but can be distinguished from the latter by genital morphologies in both sexes and male chelicera with ventral wrinkles. Additionally, I. daisetsuzanus Saito 1934 is newly synonymized with Sitticus ranieri (Peckham & Peckham 1909), as Matsuda (1997) pointed out first. As a result, Japanese species belonging to this genus is only the new species for the present.

Validation of Eustiromastix guianae (Caporiacco, 1954) (Araneae, Salticidae) with a first description of the female, and additions to the salticid fauna of French Guiana.

In this paper, we validate the doubtful species status of E. guianae, with redescriptions of (supposedly lost) type and holotype males, and a first description of the female. Both sexes are measured and illustrated by pictures of habitus and copulatory organs. Seventeen new salticid species for French Guiana are also reported and a detailed catalogue of all salticid species from the Trinité National Nature Reserve is provided.

Cross-modality effects of prey odour during the intraspecific interactions of a mosquito-specialist predator.

One of the predictions from evolutionary game theory is that individuals will increase their willingness (i.e., become primed) to escalate aggression when they detect the presence of a limiting resource. Here we test this prediction in the context of prey odour priming escalation decisions during vision-based encounters by Evarcha culicivora. This East African jumping spider (Salticidae) feeds indirectly on vertebrate blood by actively choosing blood-carrying female mosquitoes as preferred prey. Unlike many salticid species, it also expresses pronounced mutual mate choice. As predicted, we show here that, in the presence of odour from their preferred prey, both sexes of E. culicivora escalate during vision-based same-sex encounters. This is further evidence that the odour of blood-carrying mosquitoes is salient to this salticid. For both sexes of E. culicivora, this particular prey may be a resource that matters in the context of intrasexual selection.

A scanning retina with a narrow field of view: Do jumping spiders examine entire objects or only parts?

Event Abstract Back to Event A scanning retina with a narrow field of view: Do jumping spiders examine entire objects or only parts? Cynthia Tedore1* and Sönke Johnsen2 1 Lund University, Biology, Sweden 2 Duke University, Biology, United States Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are famous for their principal eyes’ high visual acuity and bizarre retinal morphology. The field of view subtended by the retinae of the principal eyes is roughly 0.6 degrees horizontally by 21 degrees vertically. The retinae are capable of significant movement, presumably allowing an individual to scan and mentally piece together features of entire objects. In high-stakes situations requiring rapid reaction times, it is unclear whether salticids’ unusual retinal morphology might affect visual processing speed and/or the amount of information gathered. Because various salticid species (which prey upon each other) live in close proximity, we hypothesized that, when a male encounters another salticid and endeavors to identify it, he should minimize the time spent visually scanning over it, and in turn, his risk of being predated upon, by searching for species-specific features on the first body part he spots (i.e. either the face or the legs), and making a recognition decision based on that body part, or a small group of body parts, alone. In the presence of conspecific pheromones, which provide an additional clue as to the identity of a spider, we would expect males to be even more likely to use this visual shortcut. To test our hypotheses, we showed male Lyssomanes viridis jumping spiders animated images of conspecifics and composite images which combined the facial coloration and morphology of one sex or species with the leg coloration of another. Males’ courtship versus threat displays indicated whether a stimulus was perceived as a potential mate or threat. By comparing males’ display types and visual inspection times (as an index of confusion) in response to the various images in the presence versus absence of female pheromones, we were able to deduce whether males tend to inspect both the face and legs, or just one or the other, and whether this changes in the presence of pheromones. Counter to our predictions, we discovered that males examine features on both the face and legs before coming to a decision as to the identity of a spider, and that they continue to do so in the presence of pheromones. This suggests that salticids do take the time to visually scan over entire objects to identify them, despite the fact that quick reaction times in high-stakes encounters with other salticids would seem to be adaptive. Keywords: Vision, Chemoreception, jumping spider, Retina, field of view Conference: International Conference on Invertebrate Vision, Fjälkinge, Sweden, 1 Aug - 8 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Oral presentation preferred Topic: Eye design, optics and spatial vision Citation: Tedore C and Johnsen S (2019). A scanning retina with a narrow field of view: Do jumping spiders examine entire objects or only parts?. Front. Physiol. Conference Abstract: International Conference on Invertebrate Vision. doi: 10.3389/conf.fphys.2013.25.00115 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 28 Feb 2013; Published Online: 09 Dec 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Cynthia Tedore, Lund University, Biology, Lund, SE-221 00, Sweden, cynthia.tedore@uni-hamburg.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Cynthia Tedore Sönke Johnsen Google Cynthia Tedore Sönke Johnsen Google Scholar Cynthia Tedore Sönke Johnsen PubMed Cynthia Tedore Sönke Johnsen Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Spider Fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan, Gyeonggi-do in Korea

Spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan located in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, was surveyed from April to October in 1996. A total of 75 species of 51 genera in 22 families from 996 individuals of spiders were identified. Species richness of each family, there were 17 Araneid species (22.7%), followed by each of the 7 Thomisid and Tetragnathid species (9.3%), 6 Salticid species (8.0%), and 5 Lycosid species (6.7%). Zoogeographically, spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan represented 1 cosmopolitan species (1.3%), 2 holarctic region species (2.6%), and 9 palearctic region species (12.0%), and 4 Korean endemic species (4.0%). Thus it is suggested that spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan was under northern regional influence.