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Density, body size and sex ratio of an indigenous spider along an altitudinal gradient in the sub-Antarctic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2011

Jennifer E. Lee ,
Michael J. Somers  and
Steven L. Chown
Jennifer E. Lee*
Affiliation:
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Michael J. Somers
Affiliation:
Centre for Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa Department of Zoology, Walter Sisulu University, Private Bag X1, UNITRA 5117, South Africa
Steven L. Chown
Affiliation:
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
*
jlee@sun.ac.za
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Abstract

Although spiders are a diverse and ecologically important group of predators across the sub-Antarctic islands, relatively little is known about their biology. Here we provide data on the abundance, body size variation and sex ratio of an indigenous spider, Myro kerguelenensis, across an altitudinal gradient on Marion Island. In so doing we test explicitly the hypotheses that density will decline with declining resource availability at higher elevations, and that a converse Bergmann body size cline will be found in this species. Density of M. kerguelenensis decreased with altitude and ranged from a mean density of 5.3 (SD 3.42) individuals per m2 at 50 m a.s.l. to a mean density of 0.83 (SD 1.15) individuals per m2 at 600 m a.s.l. Mean female sternum width was 1.39 mm (SD 0.44) and mean male sternum width was 1.40 mm (SD 0.22). No evidence for Bergmann or converse Bergmann clines was found. At increasing altitudes, sex ratios became increasingly female-biased with populations at 600 m a.s.l. comprising 0.87 (SD 0.28) females, on a proportional basis, possibly as a result of resource limitation and an increase in the prevalence of sexual cannibalism. The food web implications of this study are highlighted.

Keywords

AraneaeBergman body size clineMarion IslandMyro kerguelenensisresource limitation
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , 06 February 2012 , pp. 15 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2011

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