Artificial light at night alters life history in a nocturnal orb-web spider

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5599
• Publication Date: 2018-10-09T03:35:02Z
• Authors: Nikolas J. Willmott; Jessica Henneken; Caitlin J. Selleck; Therésa M. Jones
• Keywords: Artificial Light

The prevalence of artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing rapidly around the world. potential physiological costs this lighting are often evident in life history shifts. We investigated effects chronic night-time exposure to ecologically relevant levels LED on traits nocturnal Australian garden orb-web spider (Eriophora biapicata). reared spiders under a 12-h day and either natural darkness (∼0 lux) or dim (∼20 assessed juvenile development, growth mortality, adult reproductive success survival. found that ALAN accelerated resulting progressing through fewer moults, maturing earlier smaller size. There was significant increase daily mortality for 20 lux, but maturation resulted comparable number 0 lux reaching maturity. Exposure also considerably reduced eggs produced by females, largely associated with ALAN-induced reductions body Despite previous observations increased fitness some urban areas near lighting, it appears may lead considerable developmental costs. Future research will need consider detrimental combined foraging benefits when studying insectivores forage lights.