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| Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2002): |
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Influence of cues from the anterior medial eyes of virtual prey on Portia fimbriata, an araneophagic jumping spider.
Full Abstract
Portia fimbriata from Queensland, Australia, is a jumping spider (Salticidae) that preys on other spiders, including other salticids. Cryptic stalking (palps retracted, walking very slowly and freezing when faced) is a prey-specific tactic deployed exclusively against salticid prey. Using vision alone, P. fimbriata discriminates salticid from non-salticid prey, with the prey salticid's large anterior median (AM) eyes providing critical cues. Here, using computer-rendered virtual three-dimensional lures, we clarify experimentally some of the specific optical cues from AM eyes that influence the behaviour of P. fimbriata. Control lures were based on Jacksonoides queenslandicus, the salticid upon which P. fimbriata most commonly preys in nature. Experimental lures were modified to isolate specific combinations of AM eye features. For presentation to P. fimbriata, lures were projected on a small screen positioned in front of a web-covered platform. Each individual P. fimbriata was tested once with a control lure and once with a lure on which some AM eye feature had been altered. P. fimbriata was affected by the presence-versus-absence of AM eyes, by the size and shape of these eyes and by AM eye position. Horizontal position on the face of a single AM eye had no discernible influence on whether P. fimbriata initiated cryptic stalking, but reduced how often P. fimbriata froze when faced by the prey. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to perceptual processes underlying the predatory strategy of P. fimbriata.
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Author information
Author/s: Harland, Duane P (DP); Jackson, Robert R (RR);
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, East Sussex, UK. d.harland(-atsign-)biols.sussex.ac.uk
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: The Journal of experimental biology (J Exp Biol), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Jul; vol 205 (issue Pt 13) : pp 1861-8
Dates: Created 2002/06/21; Completed 2003/02/06; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 12077162, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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