Gradients Of Precipitation And Ant Abundance May Contribute To The Altitudinal Range Limit Of Subsocial Spiders

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 06 Aug 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Sociality may allow organisms to colonize habitats where similar species with solitary lifestyles cannot persist.

We test this idea by taking advantage of the distribution of Anelosimus spiders in Ecuador, where highly social species are common in the lowland rainforest, while related 'subsocial' species (with both social and solitary life cycle phases) are present only at higher elevations.

We transplanted small subsocial groups to the lowland rainforest, where they experienced greater mortality and fewer solitary nesting attempts.

Heavier rainfall and greater abundance of ants, potential spider predators, at lower elevations may particularly impact small groups and solitary spiders, thus preventing subsocial species from colonizing these habitats.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences