Conservation behavior is a relatively new interdisciplinary field aimed at investigating how proximate and ultimate aspects of animal can be value in preventing the loss biodiversity. This discipline's usefulness promoting practical conservation-matters subject to debate, with some scientists arguing that importance conservation practice overemphasized. Here, we propose conceptual model identifies key linkages between biology. The simply structured, hierarchical, parsimonious framework will...

Samples of arthropods in canopies selected trees were collected by pyrethrum‐fogging during the early part 1977 dry season from three types neotropical forest: várzea and igapó forest which are inundated seasonally white‐water black‐water rivers respectively, terra firme is not subject to inundation. Sampling areas within 30 km Manaus, Brazil. Number biomass sampled was highest firme, intermediate lowest várzea. Ants dominant on all sites a high percentage their species found only one type...

The little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, occurs on five islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is still process of expanding its range at least two these (Santa Cruz and San Salvador). At 17 remaining 28 ant taxa currently known from are affected by presence Wasmannia. On Santa Salvador few other species ants co-occurred with Wasmannia, except edges distribution or areas which it had only recently invaded. was also found to reduce population densities, eliminate altogether, three...

Ecological research on organism-environment interactions has developed asymmetrically. Modulation of organisms by the environment received much attention, while theoretical studies environmental impact have until recently been limited. We propose a framework for studying impacts woody plants in order to understand their effects biodiversity. adopt pattern formation theory discuss how organize ecological systems patch and landscape levels through formation, organism patchiness creates...

We investigated web relocation and habitat selection in Latrodectus revivensis (Theridiidae), a widow spider that constructs webs on scattered shrubs the Negev desert. used repeated observations of individual spiders' preferences, movements to new sites, growth, fecundity, survival under natural manipulated conditions examine relationships between movement, habitat, components fitness. Our main objectives were determine spatial temporal patterns causes, costs, fitness consequences shifting...

The evolution of cooperation requires benefits group living to exceed costs. Hence, some components fitness are expected increase with increasing size, whereas others may decrease because competition among members. social spiders provide an excellent system investigate the costs and living: they occur in groups various sizes individuals relatively short-lived, therefore life history traits Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) can be estimated as a function size. Sociality has originated...

Cyrtophora moluccensis (Doleschall) in New Guinea and C. citricola Forskal the Mediterranean Africa form persistent aggregations of individuals all ages. Characteristic this "communal" organization (as defined by Wilson, 1971) are low level aggressive interactions during prey capture web repair renewal. Such may serve as a spacing mechanism, ensuring an adequate fool supply for each individual Disadvantages resulting from conspicuousness persistence colonies high incidence parasitism large...

Abstract Generalist predators contribute to pest suppression in agroecosystems. Spider communities, which form a substantial fraction of the generalist predator fauna arable land, are characterized by two functional groups: web-building and cursorial (non-web-building) species. We investigated relative impact these groups on common ( Sitobion avenae , Aphididae) wheat combining molecular technique that revealed species-specific aphid consumption rates with factorial field experiment analyzed...

Records of interactions between acrocerid parasitoids (Diptera: Acroceridae) and their hosts are very scarce. Here we report a case fly (most likely Ogcodes sp.) parasitising zodariid spiders the genus Pax from Israel. We describe parasitoid development possible host manipulation.

Spectacular colors and visual phenomena in animals are produced by light interference from highly reflective guanine crystals. Little is known about how organisms regulate crystal morphology to tune the optics of these systems. By following formation developing spiders, a crystallization mechanism elucidated. Guanine "non-classical," multistep process involving progressive ordering states. Crystallization begins with nucleation partially ordered nanogranules disordered precursor phase....

Reproductive strategies of males and females usually differ and, as a consequence, may impose asymmetric costs reproduction on the two sexes result in conflict between sexes. In spiders, do not provide parental care can store sufficient sperm for several clutches. These characteristics define stage that occurs mainly over frequency mating. Factors such sexual size dimorphism, operational sex ratio, mating system life-history are likely to influence degree its outcome different species. Male...

The social spiders are unusual among cooperatively breeding animals in being highly inbred. In contrast, most other organisms outbred owing to inbreeding avoidance mechanisms. appear originate from solitary subsocial ancestors, implying a transition outbreeding mating systems. Such may be constrained by tactics or fitness loss due depression. We examined whether the system of spider, genus with three congeners, is likely facilitate hinder Populations Stegodyphus lineatus substructured and...

We examined the habitat selection of a Negev desert web-building spider Stegodyphus lineatus in two adjacent habitats differing vegetation structure and prey availability. investigated choice web-sites by spiders terms both expected availability prey. Spiders built their webs preferentially shrubs with dense branch architecture chose parts greatest potential conducted food-supplementation experiments to determine effects food supply on time reproduction number offspring produced. greater...

Social, cooperative breeding behaviour is rare in spiders and generally characterized by inbreeding, skewed sex ratios high rates of colony turnover, processes that when combined may reduce genetic variation lower individual fitness quickly. On these grounds, social spider species have been suggested to be unstable evolutionary time, hence sociality a phenomenon spiders. Based on partial molecular phylogeny the genus Stegodyphus , we address hypothesis this are transient. We estimate age...

Groups of Achaearanea wau (Theridiidae) disperse and found new colonies by means synchronized emigrations adult subadult females. Emigrations involve the construction silk highways from parent to web sites, migrations along highways, establishment daughter colonies. are similar in timing, group composition, some behavior components swarming social bees wasps.

Abstract Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscoidea) are well defended by a heavy armour and many species have noxious secretions. Oniscophagy (feeding on woodlice) may be an important part of the biology at least some members spider genus Dysdera (Dysderidae). Yet there little is known about diet possible specializations for feeding woodlice in these spiders. has unusual variability mouthpart morphology, which related to diet. Here, we investigate five consider relationship between capture frequency...

Abstract Evolution of cooperation and group living in spiders from subsocial family groups may be constrained by their cannibalistic nature. A tendency to avoid cannibalizing kin facilitate tolerance among implies the ability identify relatives. We investigated whether spider Stegodyphus lineatus discriminates recording cannibalism juveniles experiments during which amount food size difference were varied. hypothesized that should less than mixed-parental origin. Further, we tested...

Cooperative breeding societies are characterized by alloparental care and unequal distribution of reproduction (skewed reproduction). Competition for resources among group members may determine the reproductive outcome each individual. In a spider colony, females feed together on prey therefore compete over extraction specific nutrients required reproduction. Here we examined occurrence skewed in colonies social Stegodyphus dumicola (Eresidae) nature asked whether competition limiting is...

When carton nests or covered trails of Nasutitermes termites were breached experimentally, nasute soldiers recruited rapidly to the break, while workers retreated into nest trail. Nasutes mobilized both in larger numbers and more breaks than at sites away from nest. formed an important part diets two species Tamandua anteaters. Anteaters, however, ignored actively rejected most that they encountered, fed primarily concentrations logs, branches, Feeding occurred mainly when these contained...

Arboreal carton nests of four speces termites (Nasutitermes corniger, N. columbicus, nigriceps, and Microcerotermes exiguus) ants (genus Azteca) were monitored periodically for one year on Barro Colorado Island, Panama Canal Zone. The examined signs damage, new growth, nest abandonment. Nest damage was attributable to predation by anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla), nesting activities birds, or unknown causes. due anteater occurred frequently, but rarely resulted in destruction the nest....