Eur. J. Entomol. 92 (3): 553-563, 1995
Drapetisca socialis (Araneae: Linyphiidae): Web reduction - ethological and morphological adaptations
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The linyphiid spider Drapetisca socialis (Sundevall, 1832) attaches a specialized web vertically to tree trunks: A small sheet is surrounded by signal threads that inform the spider about passing arthropods. Field observations of prey composition revealed the importance of Collembola, especially Sminthuridae, as prey items. As can be seen from video recordings, D. socialis catches prey by a special technique, which is also employed outside the web. The spider moves carefully over its victim, which is grasped from above by means of modified chelicerae and pedipalps. They carry a setal trap, that is unique among linyphiid spiders (in spiders in general?). The tarsi of Drapetisca legs do not have adhesive hairs, thus not being specially adapted to seize prey. The development of triads (the spigots involved in the production of gluey capture threads) was examined in six linyphiid spiders: In three of them, including D. socialis, the triads ale reduced to some extent. which leads to the conclusion that gluey capture threads do not play an important role in the capture of prey in Linyphiidae.
Keywords: Linyphiidae, web reduction, prey capture, morphology, spinnerets
Accepted: March 30, 1995; Published: August 30, 1995 Show citation
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