The web structure and the predatory behavior of Wendilgarda sp. (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae)

[摘要] References(7)Cited-By(4)The web structure of Wendilgarda sp. was one of the most unique types that had been known in spiders. This web was built above the stream and did not have radii and sticky spirals, but had some horizontal lines and sticky threads. The horizontal lines were non-sticky silks, slightly inclined, and attached directly to branches or rocks in the stream. The sticky threads were spun between the horizontal line and the water surface. Each end of these vertical sticky threads was connected with the surface of the water. The predatory behavior of this species was also observed. As soon as the prey struck sticky thread, the spider moved to the point above entangled prey along horizotal line, and reeled up the sticky thread with prey. After wrapping the prey with dry silks, she returned to the center of the web.These observations suggested that Wendilgarda web did not resemble the ray-formed orb web of the genus Theridiosoma, but related to the other theridiosomatid spider: e.g. the genus Ogulnius.

[学科分类] 动物科学