The effects of web surface area and elevation on prey capture rate of cobweb weaving spiders.

General EcologyThis study examines various abiotic and biotic factors that influence the capture rate of cobweb weaving spiders in a deciduous forest in Pellston, MI. The spiders studied were of the family Theridiidae. Spiders and their corresponding webs were identified, marked, and observed for six days. Capture rate, web elevation, web surface area, spider size, and spider presence were compared over two separate sites. A significant relationship was found between capture rate and surface area, in which capture rate increases with surface area (p-value = .008). Significant results were demonstrated regarding the mean capture rate and web location in which webs on Grapevine trail demonstrated a higher capture rate (.339 prey items/12hrs) than webs on Pinepoint Trail (.237 prey items/12hrs). Capture rate is higher during the day (.36 prey items/12hrs) than at night (.21 prey items/12hrs). Additional correlations between location, elevation, and surface area were also observed. This research demonstrates various ecological implications of the spiders’ niche in the ecosystem studied.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95917/1/Dittel_Duemling_Fivenson_Patten_2012.pd