Abstract
The reproductive characteristics and feeding conditions of the spider,Nephila clavata, were examined at some urban and non-urban woodland sites. More than 80% of females were gravid by late October in both non-urban and large urban woodlands, whereas only 10%–30% were gravid in small urban woodlands. The expected number of eggs per female in mid-October was also lower in the small urban woodlands, although body length was not reduced. This suggests that reproductive failure was not caused by food shortage during the nymphal stage. Relative food consumption rate, prey size, biomass and size of potential prey during the adult stage all tended to be lower in small urban woodlands. These results suggest that decreased reproduction ofN. clavata in small urban woodlands is caused by food shortage during the adult stage, particularly a shortage of large insects.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Anderson, J. F. (1974) Responses to starvation in the spider.Lycosa lenta (Hentz) andFilistata hibernalisis (Hentz). Ecology55: 576–585.
Austin, A. D. &Anderson, D. T. (1978) Reproduction and development of the spiderNephila edulis (Koch) (Araneidae: Araneae). Aust. J. Zool.26: 501–518.
Brown, S. G., Hill, E. B., Goist, K. E., Wenzl, P. A. &Christenson, T. E. (1985) Ecological and seasonal variations in a free-moving population of the golden-web spider,Nephila clavipes. Bull. Br. Arachnol. Soc.6: 313–319.
Eisenberg, R. M., Hurd, L. E. &Bartley, J. A. (1981) Ecological consequences of food limitation for adult mantids (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis Saussure). Am. Midl. Nat.106: 209–218.
Gillespie, R. G. &Caraco, T. (1987) Risk-sensitive foraging strategies of two spider populations. Ecology68: 887–899.
Kessler, A. (1973) A comparative study of the production of eggs in eightPardosa species in the field (Araneae, Lycosidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie116: 23–41.
Matsura, T. &Morooka, K. (1983) Influences of prey density on fecundity in a mantis,Paratenodera angustipennis (S.). Oecologia56: 306–312.
Miyashita, K. (1968) Growth and development ofLycosa T-insignita Boes et Str. (Araneae: Lycosidae) under different feeding conditions. Appl. Ent. Zool.3: 81–88.
Miyashita, T. (1986) Growth, egg production, and population density of the spider,Nephila clavata in relation to food conditions in the field. Res. Popul. Ecol.28: 135–149.
Moore, C. W. (1977) The life cycle, habitat and variation in selected web parameters in the spiderNephila clavipes Koch (Araneidae). Am. Midl. Nat.98: 95–108.
Morse, D. H. &Fritz, R. S. (1982) Experimental and observational studies of patch choice at different scales by the crab spider,Misumena vatia. Ecology63: 172–182.
Riechert, S. E. &Tracy, C. R. (1975) Thermal balance and prey availability: bases for a model relating web-site characteristics to spider reproductive success. Ecology56: 265–284.
Robinson, M. H. &Robinson, B. (1973) Ecology and behavior of the giant wood spiderNephila maculata (Fabricuis) in New Guinea. Smithon. Contrib. Zool.149: 1–76.
Spiller, D. A. &Schoener, T. W. (1988) An experimental study of the effect of lizards on web-spider communities. Ecol. Monogr.58: 57–77.
Wise, D. H. (1975) Food limitation of the spiderLinyphia marginata; experimental field studies. Ecology56: 637–646.
Wise, D. H. (1979) Effects of an experimental increase in prey abundance upon the reproductive rates of two orb-weaving spider species. Oecologia41: 289–300.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Miyashita, T. Decreased reproductive rate of the spider,Nephila clavata, inhabiting small woodlands in urban areas. Ecol. Res. 5, 341–351 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347009
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347009