Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-01T21:24:01.392Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

THE STABILIMENTUM OF THE ORB WEB SPIDER, ARGIOPE ARGENTATA: AN IMPROBABLE DEFENCE AGAINST PREDATORS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Michael H. Robinson  and
Barbara Robinson
Michael H. Robinson
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Canal Zone (Panama)
Barbara Robinson
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Canal Zone (Panama)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The stabilimentum of orb web spiders is a structure for which several functions, both mechanical and defensive, have been suggested. Argiope argentata (Fabricius) builds a stabilimentum in the form of a white diagonal cross. Analysis of over 2500 webs of this species shows that the perfect cross is seldom built and nearly two thirds of the webs contain no stabilimentum at all. Experiments with wild birds as predators show that they can use stabilimentum-like models in prey location. From these data, and a review of the defensive adaptations of orb web spiders, it is argued that the A. argentata stabilimentum is not an anti-predator device. The evidence for a mechanical function is reviewed and discussed. It is suggested that the stabilimentum provides the spider with a means of making a final adjustment to the mechanical state of the web when this is necessary.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 102 , Issue 6 , June 1970 , pp. 641 - 655
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1970

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bristowe, W. S. 1958. The world of spiders. Collins, London.Google Scholar
Hingston, R. W. G. 1927. Protective devices in spider's snares. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond.: 259–293.Google Scholar
Hingston, R. W. G. 1932. A naturalist in the Guiana forest. London.Google Scholar
Levi, H. W. 1968. The spider genera Gea and Argiope in America. (Araneae: Araneidae). Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv. 136: 319–352.Google Scholar
Marples, B. J. 1969. Observations on decorated webs. Bull. Br. Arachnological soc. 1: 13–18.Google Scholar
Marson, J. E. 1947. Some observations on the ecological variation and development of the cruciate zigzag camouflage device of Argiope pulchella (Thor.). Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 117: 219–227.Google Scholar
McCook, H. C. 1889. American spiders and their spinningwork, I. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.Google Scholar
Peters, H. M. 1953. Beiträge zur Vergleichenden Ethologie und Ökologie Tropisher Webespinnen. Z. morph. Ökol. Tiere 42: 278–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rabaud, E. 1932. Le rô1e du stabilimentum des toiles de l'Argiope fasciée. C. r. Acad. Sci. Paris 194: 655–657.Google Scholar
Robinson, M. H. 1969 a. Predatory behavior of Argiope argentata (Fabricius). Am. zool. 9: 161–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, M. H. 1969 b. Defences against visually hunting predators. In Dobzhansky, Th., Hecht, M. K., and Steere, Wm. C. (eds.). Evolutionary Biology 3: 225–259. Appleton, Century, Crofts, New York.Google Scholar
Robinson, M. H., and Olazarri, . In press.Google Scholar
Robinson, M. H., and Robinson, Barbara. In press.Google Scholar
Savory, T. H. 1952. The spiders' web. Warne and Co. Ltd., London.Google Scholar
Simon, E. 1892–1895. Histoire naturelle des Araignées. Roret, Paris.CrossRefGoogle Scholar