European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Liza R. Abrenica-Adamat, Rosa de Lima V. Lopez, Eldimson Bermudo, Muhmin Michael M.
Manting, Sharon Rose S. Tabugo and Cesar G. Demayo
This study was conducted to examine the prey-attraction hypothesis as function of stabilimentum and to address
whether there is a tradeoff between building large undecorated webs and small decorated webs in orb-webs of
selected Argiope spiders: A. catenulata, A. luzona, A. appensa, and A. aemula. The present data were consistent
with the prey-attraction hypothesis and a tradeoff between stabilimentum-building and a large web area as
alternative prey capture strategies. Webs with stabilimentum were more likely to contain more prey in all species
observed. Except for A. aemula, webs with longer stabilimentum were more likely to contain more prey. Comparing
the number of prey intercepted between webs with and without a stabilimentum showed that more prey was caught
in decorated webs in all species observed. Except for A. luzona, webs found nearer the ground were significantly
more likely to add stabilimentum. Furthermore, the web area was significantly larger in non-decorated webs than
decorated webs in A. catenulata and A. aemula and the stabilimentum length was negatively correlated with web
area in A. appensa.
