Abstract

SILVEIRA, Marco Cesar  and  JAPYASSU, Hilton F.. Notes on the behavior of the kleptoparasitic spider Argyrodes Elevatus (Yheridiidae, Araneae). Rev. etol. [online]. 2012, vol.11, n.1, pp. 56-67. ISSN 1517-2805.

Kleptoparasitism is an interaction in which one individual steals captured or processed food from another; spiders of the subfamily Argyrodinae (Theridiidae) may present kleptoparasitic behavior. Aiming to increase the knowledge about this unique strategy, we describe activities accomplished by the kleptoparasitic spider Argyrodes elevatus (Theridiidae) in webs of captive host spiders. After a prey was captured by the host spider, a second prey was offered, so that the kleptoparasite could steal the first prey while the host spider was immobilizing the second one. Using this method, we were able to see a wide range of events, such as the theft of stored preys, the sharing of a prey with the host, the theft of the egg sacs, the predation of host spiders, and others. Finally, we discuss how kleptoparasitism could vary in function of host behavior and how the high behavioral variability of Argyrodes elevatus could be explained.

Keywords : kleptoparasitism; behavior; Argyrodes elevatus; Argyrodinae; Theridiidae.

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