Seleção de plantas hospedeiras pela aranha bromelícola Psecas chapoda (Salticidae)
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Data
2009-04-27
Autores
Omena, Paula Munhoz de [UNESP]
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Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
A aranha Psecas chapoda (Salticidae) utiliza a planta Bromelia balansae (Bromeliaceae) como sítio de forrageamento, acasalamento e postura de ootecas, bem como abrigo contra predadores e berçário. Em contraste com outras espécies de salticídeos bromelícolas, que habitam até 7-8 espécies de bromélias em regiões litorâneas, P. chapoda habita quase exclusivamente B. balansae em regiões de Cerrado e margens de Florestas Semidecíduas. Esta especialização possivelmente ocorre porque as áreas de vida de P. chapoda são dominadas apenas por B. balansae, não havendo bromélias de outras espécies/arquiteturas disponíveis para as aranhas. Neste trabalho realizamos experimentos com os objetivos de: (1) testar se a associação de P. chapoda restringia-se a uma planta hospedeira específica ou a plantas com um tipo específico de arquitetura; (2) verificar se indivíduos adultos de P. chapoda escolhiam ativamente suas plantas hospedeiras e (3) determinar os mecanismos sensoriais envolvidos na seleção de plantas hospedeiras por P. chapoda. Nossos resultados mostraram que a especialização deste salticídeo por micro-hábitat não é espécie-específica e sim restrita a certas características arquiteturais das rosetas de suas plantas hospedeiras. Psecas chapoda, guiada por estímulos visuais, avalia e distingue estruturas físicas de micro-hábitats e seleciona ativamente plantas em roseta com folhas longas e estreitas. Este padrão é incomum entre predadores invertebrados, e, provavelmente, evoluiu em virtude da grande abundância de um tipo específico de micro-hábitat aliado a excelente acuidade visual de P. chapoda que possibilita a detecção eficiente de suas plantas hospedeiras
Spiders are selective for microhabitat and foraging sites, especially regarding the physical structure of host plants. Yet, little is known about which sensorial mechanisms they use to evaluate and select substrata. In this study, we manipulated real plants and plants’ photos to test which plant traits are used by the bromeliad-dwelling spider Psecas chapoda to find their hosts, and whether this selection is based on visual (i.e., shape, color) or tactile stimuli. We further examined if Psecas is able to recognize its preferred substratum when placed on plants with different architectures. Our results showed that Psecas uses visual cues to find its preferred microhabitat. Rosette shaped monocots (Agavaceae) was preferred over other monocots and dicots. In both experiments involving real bromeliads and black-and-white bromeliad pictures choice was restricted to rosettes having narrow and long leaves. However, spiders delayed to select bromeliad pictures, suggesting that selection is primarily based on plant morphological traits, but color may also play a significant role in plant choice. Females remained longer than males on experimental bromeliads. Males detected bromeliad architecture on photos faster than females. Since males are likely to be more vulnerable to predation than females, they may have developed a more accurate vision allowing them to find shelter more efficiently. The great visual acuity of P. chapoda associated with the widespread availability of B. balansae might have lead to the evolution of this unusual spider-plant association. Key words: Bromeliaceae, visual selection, visual cues, host plant selection, plant architecture, Salticidae
Spiders are selective for microhabitat and foraging sites, especially regarding the physical structure of host plants. Yet, little is known about which sensorial mechanisms they use to evaluate and select substrata. In this study, we manipulated real plants and plants’ photos to test which plant traits are used by the bromeliad-dwelling spider Psecas chapoda to find their hosts, and whether this selection is based on visual (i.e., shape, color) or tactile stimuli. We further examined if Psecas is able to recognize its preferred substratum when placed on plants with different architectures. Our results showed that Psecas uses visual cues to find its preferred microhabitat. Rosette shaped monocots (Agavaceae) was preferred over other monocots and dicots. In both experiments involving real bromeliads and black-and-white bromeliad pictures choice was restricted to rosettes having narrow and long leaves. However, spiders delayed to select bromeliad pictures, suggesting that selection is primarily based on plant morphological traits, but color may also play a significant role in plant choice. Females remained longer than males on experimental bromeliads. Males detected bromeliad architecture on photos faster than females. Since males are likely to be more vulnerable to predation than females, they may have developed a more accurate vision allowing them to find shelter more efficiently. The great visual acuity of P. chapoda associated with the widespread availability of B. balansae might have lead to the evolution of this unusual spider-plant association. Key words: Bromeliaceae, visual selection, visual cues, host plant selection, plant architecture, Salticidae
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Palavras-chave
Aracnideo - Comportamento, Aranha - Comportamento, Ecologia animal, Aranha - Habitat, Aranha - Ecologia, Habitat (Ecologia), Salticidae - Comportamento, Aranha - Plantas hospedeiras
Como citar
OMENA, Paula Munhoz de. Seleção de plantas hospedeiras pela aranha bromelícola Psecas chapoda (Salticidae). 2009. 80 f. Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, 2009.