Revista de Etologia

**The prey capture behaviour of Metepeira gressa (Araneae, Araneidae) on mealworms, flies and ants**

The prey-capture behavioral repertoire of females and juveniles of the araneid spider Metepeira gressa (Keyserling, 1892) was analyzed using mealworm larvae, flies, and ants as prey of the same size. Flies and ants are frequently encountered by the spider species, but the beetle larvae are not. During the experimental period each type of prey was offered only once to each spider. The first unit of immobilization is very important to subdue the prey. When capturing mealworms and ants, spiders performed Wrap as the first unit of the Immobilization phase, and while capturing flies the spiders used Bites. Wrap seems to be a discriminatory initial behavior on dangerous prey, such as ants. The discrimination between ants and mealworms was tested using the observed behavioral units in spite of both generated similar capture patterns. The only difference detected was the occurrence of the unit Other Locomotion, more frequently on mealworm. The spider has many difficulties in mealworm capture because of the large size of the prey and the strength and the peculiar defensive tactic (wriggling) that progressively destroys the spider web. In disagree with the expectations, the spiders spent more time and energy in the capture of mealworms.

**Preference of goldfish (Carassius auratus) for dark places**

Visando determinar a preferência por ambientes claros ou escuros, peixes dourados (Carassius auratus) foram submetidos a um teste num aquário em que podiam sair de um compartimento central indo seja para um compartimento preto, seja para um compartimento branco. Registrou-se (1) o primeiro compartimento escolhido, (2) a freqüência de entradas em cada compartimento, e (3) o tempo gasto neles. Os resultados mostram que, nas condições experimentais, C. auratus tem preferência significativa pelo escuro, uma característica relevante para o desenvolvimento de um modelo experimental de ansiedade com esta espécie.

In order to determine their preference for dark or bright environments, goldfishes (Carassius auratus) were tested in an aquarium, in which they could swim out of a start compartment either into a black or into a white compartment. The following records were obtained: (1) first compartment chosen, (2) frequency of entries into each compartment and (3) time spent in each compartment. Results indicate that, in such experimental conditions, C. auratus has a significant preference for a dark environment, a feature that might be relevant for the development of an experimental model of anxiety for the study of this species.

Case study: the re-utilization of abandoned nest cells of Polistes (Aphanilopterus) simillimus Zikán, 1951 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Polistinae) by Tetrapedia (Tetrapedia) diversipes Klug, 1810 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Apinae)

Espécies de abelhas e vespas solitárias podem reutilizar as cavidades de ninhos antigos de Hymenoptera, assim como células construídas de fibras vegetais ou barro em ninhos abandonados, adaptando-os à geração de sua descendência. Este é um método simples e eficiente de nidificação porque implica em menor esforço, economia de tempo e menor risco de predação à fêmea reutilizadora. A vespa social Polistes simillimus constrói ninhos de fibras vegetais que são fixados a um substrato por um pedicelo ficando os favos expostos. Ninhos da abelha solitária Tetrapedia diversipes tem sido encontrados em cavidades em madeira, nas cavidades dos ninhos armadilhas e podem estar associados às células de ninhos antigos de outros himenópteros. Foi encontrado em ninho abandonado de P. simillimus células reutilizadas por T. (T.) diversipes para nidificação. Esta observação ainda não havia sido relatada.

Species of solitary wasps and bees may re-utilize holes of old nests of Hymenoptera as well as cells made of vegetable fibers or mud in abandoned nests, and adjust them to their own offsprings. This simple and efficient nesting strategy involves smaller effort, time and risk of predation to reutilizer female. The social wasp Polistes simillimus makes nests of vegetable fibers which are attached to a substract by a pedicel leaving the combs exposed. Nests of the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes have been found in holes in wood, trap nests and their nests may be associated to cells of old nests of others Hymenoptera. In a abandoned nest of P. simillimus nest cells re-utilized for nesting T. (T.) diversipes was found. This is the first report of XXXX reutilization.

**Activity pattern of jaguars (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) in captytity: handle and behavior**

O estudo do comportamento e do bem estar de onças pintadas (Panthera onca) mantidas em cativeiro é vital para o seu manejo e reprodução. Avaliamos as condições dos recintos e o manejo de 9 animais em 5 zoológicos (SP), correlacionando-os com as observações obtidas pelo etograma que foi estabelecido visando avaliar a duração dos comportamentos destes animais. Os resultados corroboram a visão de que os tratadores dos zoológicos apresentaram uma percepção consonante com nossos achados. No entanto, as diferenças comportamentais observadas entre zoológicos, com distintos regimes de manejo, indicam que estudos futuros serão necessários. Este estudo propõe-se a contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um modelo para aplicação das técnicas de quantificação comportamental na avaliação dos diferentes efeito das condições de manutenção sobre o padrão de atividade das espécies de felídeos mantidas em cativeiro.

The study of behavior and welfare of jaguars (Panthera onca) in captivity is vital for their maintenance and reproduction. We evaluated the enclosure conditions and the handling of 9 animals in 5 zoos (SP). Correlating them to the observations obtained by the ethogram which was established aiming at the duration of the behaviours. The results confirm the view of the zoo animal keepers present a consonant perception with our findings. However, the differences notice between zoos with different strategies point the necessity more studies. This work can contribute to development of a new model to quantified behaviors under different conditions to different species of felids in captivity.

Learning and efficiency of predation: a teaching approach

O efeito da experiência do predador na eficiência de predação foi examinado utilizando estudantes e docentes do curso de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade de Brasília. As presas foram larvas de Lepidoptera, folívoras externas, expostas ou em abrigos nas plantas do cerrado de Brasília. Foram usados três conjuntos de predadores: 1. Inexperientes - calouros; 2. Experiência variada - estudantes do 3º ao último semestre do curso; 3. Experientes - docentes e estudantes com experiência nos projetos com lagartas no campo. A primeira vistoria das plantas marcadas foi feita pelos predadores 1 ou 2 que coletaram todas as larvas encontradas. Logo em seguida as mesmas plantas foram examinadas pelos predadores experientes (grupo 3). Os testes foram feitos em 1998, 2000 e 2003 e, em todos eles, os predadores experientes foram mais eficientes na detecção de presas, encontrando sempre um número maior de larvas (27 a 85%) e de plantas com larvas (18 a 76%).

Experiments were designed to investigate the effect of the experience on the efficiency of predation by using as predators students and lecturers of University of Brasília, Brazil. The preys were the external folivorous lepidopteran larvae, exposed or inside shelters on plants in the cerrado vegetation. The predators were classified in three groups: 1. Naive - students without experience; 2. Varied experience - including students from the third to the last semester; 3. Experienced - lecturers and students that have had worked with caterpillars in the field. Plants were marked and during the first examination by the predators (1 or 2) all larvae were removed. Soon after that the third predator group examined the same plants and all remaining larvae, on each plant were recorded. This procedure was repeated in 1998, 2000 e 2003, and results were similar. The experienced predators were more efficient in prey detection than the naive ones, encountering always more larvae (27 to 85%) and also more plants with larvae (18 to 76%).