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Scavenging by Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae)
Published Nov 3, 2017 · R. Wolff
The Great Lakes Entomologist
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Abstract
Jumping spiders are usually considered obligate predators where ingestion is preceded by visual or tactile stimuli which elicit hunting behavior. Hungry females of Salticus seenieus were shown to feed upon dead houseflies. Spiders are generally considered to be obligate predators, dependent upon mechanical or visual signals to initiate predatory behavior. However, Knost and Rovner (1975) demonstrated that wolf spiders (Lycosidae) will scavenge on dead arthropods, indicating that ingestion by wolf spiders does not require predatory behavior. Jumping spiders (Saiticidae) have the best eyesight of all arthropods (Foelix 1982, Forster 1982) and might be expected to be more likely to require visual cues for predatory behavior. Robinson and Valerio (1977) discussed the attack by jumping spiders (Phiale sp.) against araneids. The spiders would not attack unmoving prey even after three days of confinement together. Forster (1982) discussed prey capture by saiticids, and indicated that Trite planiceps Simon could hunt and catch prey in the dark. She described how T. planiceps captured living flies in the dark or when blinded, and attributed this to vibratory stimulation. This species rejected freshly killed flies when they were contacted or offered in the dark. Salticids are generally found higher in the vegetation. at locations where dead prey would be unlikely to be encountered. Artificial diets of homogenized insects have been used to rear salticid spiderlings (Metaphidippus galathea Walckenaer) (Horner and Starks 1972). However, feeding by spiderlings on liquid diets may be considered similar to their feeding on a mother's regurgitated food. The question remains, will adult salticids scavenge?
Jumping spiders can scavenge on dead prey, but their hunting behavior requires visual or tactile stimuli.
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